Arsenal may look to revive their interest in Ajax goalkeeper and Inter Milan target Andre Onana, should Bernd Leno leave the Emirates Stadium in 2022, according to Goal.
Inter are one of several sides exploring Onana’s situation as his contract at the Johan Cruyff Arena expires next summer. Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Lyon have also held interest in the Cameroonian recently, but his doping ban blocked the 25-year-old from leaving Ajax.
De Godenzonen now want to sell Onana in January after successfully appealing to have his ban reduced. The former Barcelona prospect can return to action in November, for his first appearance since January.
Arsenal are likely to monitor Onana’s situation at Ajax, plus rival interest from clubs such as Inter Milan. Mikel Arteta purchased Aaron Ramsdale for £24m to serve as Leno’s back-up in the summer. But with the German out of contract next year, are also assessing his future.
Reports by The Athletic as far back as May claimed Leno was one of five unsettled players who could leave Arsenal this summer. Yet while three of those in David Luiz, Willian and Hector Bellerin sealed moves, Leno and Granit Xhaka ultimately stayed.
Arsenal could look to sell Leno in January to avoid a free exit, and may reconsider Onana if they do. Ajax are likely to accept below their previous £15m valuation to offload the 18-cap international. Any club willing to pay a fee can jump those waiting to agree a pre-contract.
Should Arsenal reexplore Onana to replace Leno with Ajax ace?
Arsenal paid close attention to Ajax’s appeal into Onana’s ban as they sought a new shot-stopper this summer. And Goal noted while the Court of Arbitration for Sport handled his case they would have wanted to pay £7m.
Technical Director Edu offering that sum in January could see Arsenal edge Inter to a deal with Ajax for Onana. Tuttosport report the Nerazzurri are already working to position the San Siro outfit to sign him for free next year.
If Leno cannot show Arteta he has a long-term future at Arsenal, or still feels unsettled and wants to leave, Ajax’s desire to sell Onana could prove interesting over the coming months. Especially given Fabrizio Romano’s comments on Arsenal’s interest in Onana this summer.
“Arsenal are still in talks with the agent of Onana,” Romano said on the Here We Go Podcast. “They are really interested in Onana, they see him as the perfect goalkeeper, but the suspension will be key to understanding what’s happening with Onana.”
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