Inter manager makes Andre Onana ‘sale’ claim as Man Utd talks continue

Inter Milan manager Simone Inzaghi has admitted he may have to sell a player before he can bring in new signings as talks over a deal to take goalkeeper Andre Onana to Manchester United continue.

The Red Devils are looking to bring in a new first-choice stopper after long-serving number one David De Gea brought an end to his 12-year stay at Old Trafford earlier this week. The Spain international was unable to agree a new deal with United and has now become a free agent after revealing it was ‘the right time to undertake a new challenge’.

With speculation over the future of Dean Henderson continuing, it was experienced keeper Tom Heaton who started between the posts as United kicked off their pre-season schedule with a 2-0 win over Leeds United, with the former Burnley man replaced by Matej Kovar at half-time.

Despite tentative links with other goalkeepers around Europe, Inter stopper Onana is said to be United’s main target and there are hopes an agreement can be found to take the 27-year-old to Old Trafford in the near future. Speaking on Wednesday, Inter manager Inzaghi directly referenced the 34-times capped Cameroon international and revealed he already has an eye on what ‘characteristic’ he will require from any replacement.

He told Football Italia: “We are talking about Onana, who is an Inter player and will be called up for training.

“The transfer market is unpredictable and all the Italian clubs must sell before buying, but I am sure we will have a competitive Inter. I have been assured of that. We need to find goalkeepers who are good with the ball at their feet, so those who arrive will have those characteristics.”

A further report in CalcioMercato has revealed Inter sporting director Piero Ausilio has flown to London to try and seal a deal to sell Onana to United and take Chelsea’s former Red Devils striker Romelu Lukaku back to Inter ‘in the next few hours’.