Manchester United are open to a creative decision with Andre Onana this summer.
Andre Onana’s injury in early July shone a spotlight on the goalkeeping position at the club. For now it is one the club are yet to address.
Promising youngsters Radek Vitek and Elyh Harrison have both been sent out on loan, with United depending on Altay Bayindir and Tom Heaton for now.
Onana could yet make a return in time for the start of the season, but there were questions about him already, with United fans unconvinced two years in.
There has been speculation about United bringing in a new goalkeeper, and Onana’s role is not totally secure.
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty ImagesAndre Onana could be sent on loan
Andre Onana could be sent out on loan this summer to free up salary space and secure a replacement. It is an idea United are exploring.
United In Focus understands that the club would permit Onana to leave on loan – if they agreed terms on a new number one.
While a move for Emiliano Martinez has previously been explored, most recently Gianluigi Donnarumma has been offered to the club.
Paris Saint-Germain have signed Lucas Chevalier as a replacement, and are now ready to cash in on Donnarumma, who has just one year left on his contract.
Transfer insider Graeme Bailey explains: “The chance to upgrade to one of the best keepers in the world is something probably too good to refuse and they are working on that department.
“Selling Onana will be tough, but he could be loaned – I am told there is a possibility if it facilitates something else.”
For now Andre Onana is first choice
Andre Onana is still Manchester United’s first choice goalkeeper and when he returns, he will be expected to reclaim his spot.
This can all change in an instant if United ramp up negotiations to sign Gianluigi Donnarumma later this month.
Selling Onana would be trickier at short notice, in a window where United have already failed to cash in on a single player.
And this makes a loan move a more palatable way for the club to move Onana aside, in the event an upgrade is identified and acquired.
United’s priority has always been to sign a striker, and then possibly a midfielder too. And after this the goalkeeper position could come into focus depending on available funds.