COMMENT: Andre Onana to Manchester United? It fits, doesn't it? It makes sense. At least, that's on the Old Trafford side. But why are Inter Milan giving him up? And doing so, so easily...?
We're not talking conspiracies here. We're not trying to raise doubts. As we say, this deal simply fits. The form. The reputation. His circumstances at Inter. It all adds up to why United are willing to go to €50m to sign Inter's Cameroonian goalkeeper. And that's even without the obvious factor of the Ajax connection and Onana's relationship with United manager Erik ten Hag.
The latest is there's an outline of a deal already settled between all parties. Inter are seeking €50m to sell. United are willing to pay. And after just the one season in Milan, Onana has approved the move. A midweek call from his old Ajax coach the final piece of assurance the 27 year-old needed to give his agents the green light to negotiate contract terms.
Regardless of David de Gea's plans, Onana appears on his way to Old Trafford. And if United's No1 does choose to sign that new contract, Onana will arrive to virtually the same situation as he did 12 months ago at Inter.
It was then that Onana joined Inter with the task of competing against club captain and fans favourite Samir Handanovic. There were no gifts for the new signing from Ajax. Indeed, he didn't make his Serie A debut until mid-October - a good two months into his Nerazzurri career. Simone Inzaghi made Onana work. As did Handanovic. Onana had to fight for his place. But once that chance came against Sassuolo, he never looked back.
Recalling this battle, Italy's goalkeeping great Gigi Buffon, now with Parma, recently said: "Onana inserted himself convincingly, he showed personality and broad shoulders to hold up a team like Inter and (Samir) Handanovic as a competitor."
A Super Cup triumph. A Champions League final. And a top four finish. Onana played his part in an outstanding season for the Nerazzurri. And along the way, has won the admiration of the club's best shot-stoppers.
“The sense of security he spreads," says Gianluca Pagliuca, "his ball distribution, rushing out, the decisive saves, especially the ones that look easy but in reality are very difficult, when the ball bounced around in front of you.
"He gives you a sense of security."
Julio Cesar also says: "... he brings a lot of confidence. Inter went to get this boy because they knew his qualities. He had a period of adjustment, now with these performances he confirms the club's choice. "
Onana's passing. His personality. His sheer goalkeeping ability. It all came together in an Inter shirt. That he will walk into the United dressing room with years under his belt of playing Ten Hag's system makes this deal a guarantee - if ever there was one.
But for Inter. Particularly for the Nerazzurri support. There must be disappointment. A heavy, heavy disappointment. This sale isn't a football decision. It isn't about ambition. Or team building. It's pure finance. As the Italians now refer to as 'capital gains'. The chance to make €50m from a Bosman transfer simply too good to turn down. It's something you'd expect from the AC Milan of Elliott Management or Gerry Cardinale. But not Inter. Not even Suning's Inter. They've never played the market in such a cynical way. For this column, the decision is a surprise. And a concern. Again, the Sandro Tonali sale you'd expect from Cardinale. But Inter giving up Onana so easily... it's something unexpected from Steven Zhang and his father.
Onana should be a 10-year player for Inter. A Nerazzurri legend in the making. Instead - if it all goes to plan - it'll be United who will benefit. There's no exaggeration here. No overhyping. Again, you just need to listen to those whom matter. Onana's peers. United, even at €50m, are making a steal.
Again Buffon, discussing Onana and his rival at AC Milan, Mike Maignan: "On the field they deserved to be considered in the circle of the top 5 goalkeepers in the world and I don't think I'm giving them anything by saying this."
Indeed, we can go further. Or better yet, one of Germany's finest, Oliver Kahn, can do it for us: "Andre Onana is in the top five best goalkeepers in the world.
“Being from the younger generation he is much more flexible than we were.
“Onana is agile, quick, fast, powerful, and his ability to start play in buildup is excellent.
"He is kind of like a mix between Alisson Becker and Marc Andre Ter Stegen. This guy can become the best if he keeps working hard."
Onana and United. The United of Erik ten Hag. It just fits, doesn't it? But we must say, the ease with which Inter caved to this deal has to be a concern. If there is one club in Serie A determined not to make transfer decisions based on finance, it should be the Nerazzurri.
