[p]Chelsea has officially terminated their pursuit of Andre Onana, the goalkeeper from Inter Milan. Instead, the London-based club will shift their focus to exploring three alternative options in their quest for a new goalkeeper. The primary objective is to find a competent competitor for Kepa Arrizabalaga, as Edouard Mendy is expected to depart from the club during the upcoming summer transfer window.
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[p]Having relinquished their interest in Onana, Chelsea has paved the way for Manchester United to emerge as frontrunners in securing the signature of the highly sought-after goalkeeper. Onana is projected to command a transfer fee in the region of £50 million.
[/p][p]According to the Evening Standard, one potential candidate on Chelsea's shortlist is David Raya, the goalkeeper from Brentford, who has also been linked with a move to Tottenham. Additionally, Borussia Dortmund's Gregor Kobel and Valencia's Giorgi Mamardashvili are being considered as alternative options.
[/p][p]Andre Onana, a Cameroonian international, began his youth career in his home country before progressing through Barcelona's esteemed La Masia academy. However, it was during his seven-and-a-half-year tenure at Ajax that he gained prominence. Notably, his time at Ajax was marred by a controversial doping ban, which sidelined him for a period of nine months. Last summer, the 27-year-old goalkeeper departed Ajax as a free agent, subsequently joining Inter Milan on a Bosman transfer.
[/p][p]Although Onana initially took some time to settle in at Inter Milan, he eventually established himself as the preferred choice between the posts, displacing Samir Handanovic. In the previous season, Onana kept an impressive tally of 19 clean sheets in 41 appearances for the club. However, Inter Milan's precarious financial situation has left them in a difficult position, attracting the attention of suitors such as Chelsea and Manchester United.
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[p]With Chelsea's withdrawal from the race to sign Onana, Manchester United now find themselves in a stronger position to secure the services of the talented goalkeeper. Recent reports indicated that David de Gea would extend his contract with Manchester United, but the latest updates suggest that the Spaniard will depart from Old Trafford as a free agent. Consequently, Manchester United will be in need of a top-class replacement, potentially leading to a reunion between Onana and his former coach Erik ten Hag, who worked together during their time at Ajax.
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