According to a report from Goal, Arsenal are plotting a £7 million move for Ajax goalkeeper Andre Onana this summer.
The 25-year-old is currently three months into serving the one-year ban he was handed after he tested positive for a banned substance. Onana and Ajax revealed that it was completely accidental, but he was still suspended, and he hasn’t played a game since February.
The Cameroonian’s ban will be lifted in February next year. However, he is awaiting the verdict in his upcoming appeal, which will be announced in June. A positive result there could see his suspension reduced to eight months.
SAKA, ANTONY AND 10 PREMIER LEAGUE STARS HEADING TO THEIR FIRST WORLD CUP
That would open the door for a move away from Ajax this summer and Arsenal are reportedly ready to pounce. The report claims that the Gunners wanted him last January, but his transfer value then made it impossible for us.
Edu brought in Maty Ryan on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion instead, and to be fair to the Australian, he has done very well. However, if Onana becomes available this summer, Arsenal would prefer him over the shot-stopper from down under.
The report claims that Ajax are looking for a fee in the region of £12 million if his appeal is successful. However, he will enter the final year of his contract this summer, and Arsenal are confident we could get him for as little as £7 million.
The Insider’s View:
It really is a shame to see Onana receive such a harsh punishment for something accidental. He isn’t even allowed to train with his teammates or celebrate their recent title win with them, which is pretty cruel.
The ban will remain a black spot in his career but that doesn’t make Onana a bad player. The Cameroonian has been the best goalkeeper in the Netherlands for a few years now, and it was not too long ago that the likes of Chelsea, Tottenham and even Barcelona were keen to sign him. (L’Equipe)
Even Manuel Neuer, the best goalkeeper in the world, claimed that he is the Cameroon shot-stopper’s ‘biggest fan’. (Watch here)
Arsenal are right to consider him. Bernd Leno has made quite a few mistakes this season and he needs someone to come in and challenge him. At just £7 million, Edu will simply not get a better goalkeeper than Onana.
