Manchester United have been handed new optimism about Gianluigi Donnaruma’s potential transfer after Inter Milan appeared as Andre Onana’s suitor.
The Serie A Giants are reportedly keen to bring the goalkeeper back to Sanshiro just two years after offloading him to United. Onana’s days at Old Trafford have been a roller coaster since moving out of the Inter in 2023 following his final Champions League appearance.
The Cameroonian shot stopper made a series of costly mistakes last year, sparking speculation that the Red Devils could seek upgrades between the sticks.
The keeper was on the sidelines from pre-season fixtures throughout the injury, but despite being in line with the start of the season, Reuben Amorim chose an alternative to Arsenal on Sunday.
“No (he wasn’t injured), he’s recovered, but the others did well during the preseason, so I need to balance it,” Amorim explained after choosing Altey Bay Indeal and naming it as a substitute for Tom Heaton.
United courts several goalkeepers as potential successors. The most powerful speculation surrounds Gianluigi Donnaruma, but updated links with Aston Villa’s Emi Martinez. Belgian outlook Senne Lammens will remain on both United and Inter radar.
However, according to the Sun, Inter has shifted its focus to Onana in his proposal to accept San Shilo’s homecoming. Interna’s potential bid for Onana could pave the way for Manchester United to go to Donnaruma despite interest from local rival Manchester City.
The Italian goalkeeper, who won the Paris Saint-Germain and Champions League title last season, is expected to be available for just £26 million, following PSG’s summer acquisition of Lucas Chevalier.
Former United striker Wayne Rooney welcomes such a move. “Donnaruma, I think he’s 26. He’s one of the best goalkeepers in the world. If Man United doesn’t go for him, that’s crazy,” the former striker said on his podcast.
“I don’t think he’s at risk. I saw the statistics the other day – an error that directly leads to the goal. He was zero.”
Rooney is not alone in his call for a goalkeeping upgrade at United. “That’s an obvious problem with United that can’t be ignored, and that’s that they need to find a goalkeeper. They have to, I’m totally clear about that,” former captain Gary Neville said on the Gary Neville podcast.
“In our 20 years at Man United, we were two periods (Peter) Schmeichel and (Edwin) Vandell SAR, between which we had seven or eight goalkeepers in the six, seven or eight years. When the defender made a mistake.”
