‘Crucial’ - Fabrizio Romano gives Andre Onana Man Utd transfer latest as Erik ten Hag reveals plans

Erik ten Hag has admitted it’s important to wrap up a transfer for Andre Onana quickly as Manchester United search for a new goalkeeper.

The Red Devils are on the hunt for a no.1 for the first time in 12 years following the departure of David de Gea last week. Onana is top of the list for Ten Hag, who managed the Inter Milan goalkeeper during his time at Ajax. A deal is expected to be completed soon for the 27-year-old, and Ten Hag was asked on Wednesday if it’s important to sign Onana quickly.

“Of course,” the United manager responded, as per The Athletic. “Goalkeeper is a key position, but I am happy with the players we have now,” he added, after the friendly victory over Leeds United in Oslo.

The update comes amid Simone Inzaghi's admission that Onana could depart from the San Siro in the coming weeks. “He's an Inter player, tomorrow [Thursday] he'll be among the players called up for pre-season,” claimed the Inter manager. 

“We know the transfer window is unpredictable and that all Italian clubs have to sell before they can buy. We know there's this risk [that he leaves] but at the same time, I'm calm about it all because the club and the owners have reassured me that this year we'll have a competitive Inter.”

Meanwhile, transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has reported that Thursday is a ‘crucial’ day in the transfer negotiations between United and Inter, with the clubs set to ‘speak’ again. “Optimism remains after negotiations in last hours — after some tense moment,” he tweeted. “Next 24h will be very important for this deal, as expected since last week.”

The Daily Mail also claim a fee has yet to be agreed between United and Inter, with the Red Devils open to the possibility of Dean Henderson remaining as first-choice keeper this season. Asked after the Leeds match if Henderson becoming his new no.1 is an option, Ten Hag replied: “Yes, of course. I followed him through the whole season.”

The goalkeeper has been strongly linked with a permanent move to Nottingham Forest in recent weeks but has returned to pre-season training at Carrington. Henderson was not involved in the squad that travelled to Norway as he continues his recovery from an injury that has prevented him playing since January.