Andre Onana looks increasingly likely to stay at Ajax after talks with Arsenal fizzled out, as reported by Dutch publication NOS.
Now, we don’t want to jump on the bandwagon and write off Aaron Ramsdale before he’s even kicked a ball in Arsenal colours.
But £24 million for a man relegated from England’s top flight in 2020 and 2021?
Even serial contrarian Piers Morgan would struggle to argue that was a better deal than the one which would have seen Andre Onana – a two-time Eredivisie winner with a proven track record in the Champions League – snapped up for just £7 million.
As it is, Arsenal have thrown their weight behind the former Sheffield United stopper instead, handing England hopeful Ramsdale a four-year deal at the Emirates.
And that leaves Onana in an awkward position.
With just a week to go before the window shuts, the one-time Barcelona youngster is still stuck at Ajax, the situation complicated further by the fact he’ll become a free agent next summer.
Andre Onana seems stuck at Ajax as Arsenal opt for Ramsdale
Given the choice, Ajax would surely have rather sold Onana now than lose him on a free – especially when you consider the Cameroon international is out of action until November because of a doping ban.
This is a club that bases its entire transfer strategy on a ‘sign low, sell high’ policy after all.
According to NOS, however, Onana’s phone is hardly buzzing with activity as September looms into view. There’s not a single active negotiation with another club.
A reunion with former Ajax coach Peter Bosz at crisis-club Lyon collapsed while Inter Milan appear to have shelved their interest for the time being too.
“I read and hear of each of the names linked, even Onana,” said Inter sporting director Piero Ausilio.
“But the goalkeeping team is of sufficient quality and covers us for present and future.”
It’s understood Onana was “very close” to joining Arsenal earlier in the summer.
The talks dried up once Mikel Arteta, Edu and co went after Ramsdale instead, meaning one of the finest young shot-stoppers in European football looks destined to leave the Johan Cruyff Arena as a free agent in ten months’ time.
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