Respected journalist drops unexpected Andre Onana news and it changes everything about Man Utd exit
Even by 2024-25 standards, it's been a difficult April for Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana.
Man Utd are still in contention in the Europa League but the Cameroonian made two awful errors to concede in their 2-2 draw at Lyon in the first leg of their quarter-final tie.
Those mistakes occurred just as calls for Onana to be dropped reached fever pitch and head coach Ruben Amorim left him out for Sunday's heavy Premier League loss against Newcastle United.
Understudy Altay Bayindir stepped in as Onana sat out league football for the first time this season and did nothing to suggest he should be in consideration to start against Lyon.
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United will be in the market for a new goalkeeper in the summer transfer window but Onana is unlikely to leave, according to a report from The Athletic.
Laurie Whitwell has provided a detailed update on Onana's situation and it makes for unhappy reading for any United fans who want an upgrade.
The impact of Premier League profit and sustainability rules (PSR) are far-reaching and even Man Utd's decision about their goalkeeper could be heavily influenced by the need to limit the club's allowable losses each season.
"The position of goalkeeper has not been on the agenda for United to this point. Striker is the priority, plus perhaps another attacker, a midfielder and wing-back," writes Whitwell.
"But faith in Onana is eroding due to mistakes in pivotal moments and after Amorim gave him space to “disconnect” there is a feeling around the club that a lasting separation could at least be explored by both sides."
The end is often not far away once a goalkeeper has been dropped. This case might not be so simple.
Onana's transfer fee has been amortised over the length of his five-year contract, meaning "he still holds a book value of £26.3m" according to Whitwell at The Athletic.
"Finding a buyer to bid more than that is expected to be a struggle. It is for this reason that some people close to the situation believe Onana will ultimately stay at United, unless a loan becomes palatable."
The issue is that any incoming transfer fee for United and Onana's current value in the accounts versus the fee paid to Inter Milan would become the two sides of an equation that hit the club's books immediately if the goalkeeper were to be sold.
Onana's short-term future looks like an uneasy compromise
If Onana left Old Trafford for less than £26.3m, that deficit would count towards Man Utd's allowable losses of £105m over a three-year period. It's a dent United can ill afford.
While selling Onana would appeal and might in other circumstances offer an opportunity to support the club's PSR efforts because a new goalkeeper's fee would be spread over his contract in the same way, it depends entirely on the buying club digging deep and paying over Onana's book value.
"Saudi Arabia is often touted as the solution to Premier League players looking for an exit but wanting good salaries, and so it is inevitable that route will be explored this summer if Onana or United decide to look at options," writes Whitwell.
It's the obvious solution if the demand is there and all parties are willing. It's bound to be a fascinating summer.
Topics: Man Utd, Andre Onana
Chris Nee