‘Man United plan to accept £50m Andre Onana offer after Saudi twist’
Man United are prepared to accept offers for Andre Onana ahead of the summer transfer window, according to their former chief scout.
Mick Brown, who spent over a decade at Old Trafford during the club’s most successful period and remains very well-connected there, exclusively told Football Insider that Saudi Pro League clubs have expressed an interest in the 29-year-old.
However, United will aim to recoup a large percentage of the £47.2million spent to bring Onana to Old Trafford in July 2023.
This comes after well-connected former Everton CEO Keith Wyness told Football Insider Man United want to sell Onana and could accept bids of £35million.
Brown explained that United will use the money from the goalkeeper’s sale to immediately bring in a new option between the sticks.
Meanwhile, preparations to replace Onana are already underway after Brown told Football Insider Brighton’s Bart Verbruggen is a target for United.
Andre Onana open to Man United exit after Saudi interest
Brown told Football Insider in February that Man United staff are concerned about Onana after his inconsistent performances so far this season.
Now, the former scout who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment and also spent time at the likes of Aston Villa, Tottenham and West Ham, revealed Onana would be open to a move away from the spotlight of Old Trafford.
“I hear some Saudi clubs have been looking at Onana,” he told Football Insider.
“United will have to put their hands up and admit they made a mistake on that one by paying the best part of £50million for him.
“I think it’s a move he’d be interested in too, to get out of the spotlight and pressure at Man United.
“If they can make £50million back on him, they’d snap your hand off, and they will be looking to make the majority of their money back if he is to leave.
“The decision has been made that he’s not good enough for where United really want to be.
“He makes too many mistakes and he’s too inconsistent – what you need in goal is consistency.
“The problem then is how are you going to replace him, because straight away they’d have to go out and get a replacement with the money coming in for Onana.
“There are going to be big decisions to make: whether to let him go and then who to replace him with.”
Viktor Gyokeres update emerges at Old Trafford
Alongside the addition of a new goalkeeper, United are also looking to strengthen their attacking options when the transfer window opens.
Football Insider revealed on 28 April that Man United are confident of signing Viktor Gyokeres as sources at the club believe it is already “a done deal”.
The 26-year-old goal machine has been the top target at Old Trafford since Ruben Amorim’s appointment after they built a strong relationship during their time together at Sporting.
This comes after former United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider in March that Gyokeres wants to join Man United despite their disappointing season.
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