United ready to dump €55m maverick as European title chasers open talks in a “statement of intent” – report

Trabzonspor have opened talks with Manchester United to sign Andre Onana on a permanent deal this summer, but there are two major obstacles to the deal, according to a report from Türkiye. No Return to Old Trafford Onana, 29, is currently on loan at Trabzonspor after being ostracised by Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim following the signing of Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp last summer. The addition of the Belgian shot-stopper, alongside Amorim’s preference for Altay Bayindir, relegated Onana to third-choice, despite being told at the start of the window that he was number one. The Cameroon international was unable to leave for one of Europe’s major leagues, as Lammens only arrived on deadline day. This led to the consideration of countries such as Türkiye, where the window remained open past 1 September. Süper Lig hotshots Trabzonspor made advances to sign the wantaway ‘keeper after selling their own No. 1 to rivals Galatasaray, agreeing a loan deal with United that included full coverage of his wages. A buy option was not included in the deal, most likely as INEOS hoped Onana would be able to rebuild his reputation away from the bright lights of Old Trafford and command a better fee the following summer. However, the shock decision to sack Amorim last month sparked faint hope the former Inter Milan and Ajax star would be able to plot an unlikely path back to Manchester, but there was zero appetite for this amongst the club’s hierarchy. A Permanent Exit This decision has led Onana to consider his options this summer, with the Cameroonian understood to be exploring a return to Italy after his agent was spotted in Milan in January. Inter Milan were reported to be one potential suitor, while uncertainty over the goalkeeping situations at AS Roma and Napoli had ignited his interest. Fabrizio Romano has dismissed these links, however, revealing he is “not aware” of any tangible links of a switch to the San Siro. This uncertainty has now led Trabzonspor to accelerate their plans to extend Onana’s stay, with Turkish-Football revealing the Süper Lig side have held “initial talks” with United over a permanent deal. The report states Trabzonspor are “banking on Onana’s desire to stay in a city where he has become a fan favourite”. He is believed to have settled in the Turkish city and is enjoying life at his adopted club. However, the prospective transfer fee United will demand is seen as the “primary hurdle” given INEOS will seek to “recoup a significant amount of their original investment” – a total of £47.2 million. The Red Devils would have to sell for a fee in the region of £18.9 million this summer to break even from a PSR perspective. But Trabzonspor will need to offer a significant salary upgrade to convince Onana to remain outside a top European league, which offers a complicated overall financial package for the Turkish side to muster up. Featured image Matt McNulty via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Darragh Fox Darragh is an editor for The Peoples Person who spent three years learning about the Cold War at the University of Sheffield slowly realising football was by far the most interesting thing to write about. Amad’s first touch should be officially recognised as the eighth wonder of the world.