Man United’s Goalkeeper Opens Up on His Transfer History and Near Misses
Manchester United goalkeeper André Onana has revealed that Arsenal and Chelsea were among the clubs that attempted to sign him before he eventually made the move to Old Trafford in July 2023.
The Cameroon international joined Manchester United from Inter Milan in a £47.2 million deal, replacing long-time United shot-stopper David de Gea. His signing was seen as a significant move by manager Erik ten Hag, who wanted a goalkeeper comfortable with playing out from the back.
However, Onana has now disclosed that before making the switch to United, he had been on the radar of several top European clubs, including Arsenal and Chelsea, as well as teams from France, Spain, and Italy.
Arsenal & Chelsea’s Interest in Onana Before Man United Move
Speaking in an interview with Le Média Carré, Onana opened up about the clubs that had shown serious interest in him during his time at Ajax. The 27-year-old goalkeeper was one of the most sought-after shot-stoppers in European football, and multiple teams made attempts to sign him before he eventually landed at Manchester United.
When asked about the clubs that had come close to signing him, Onana listed a number of top sides, saying:
“I had Monaco, I had Nice, I had Atlético Madrid, I had Chelsea, I had Arsenal.”
His revelation confirms that both Arsenal and Chelsea actively considered signing him, but neither club managed to seal a deal.
Why Didn’t Onana Join Arsenal or Chelsea?
At the time of Onana’s availability, both Arsenal and Chelsea were looking for goalkeeping reinforcements.
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Arsenal were still relying on Aaron Ramsdale, but manager Mikel Arteta was exploring other options for a more technical, ball-playing goalkeeper.
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Chelsea, under different managerial transitions, were struggling with goalkeeping consistency following the mixed performances of Kepa Arrizabalaga and Édouard Mendy.
Despite this, neither club pushed through a deal for Onana, leaving the door open for Manchester United to swoop in.
Onana’s Journey: From Ajax to Manchester United
Onana’s career has seen him play in multiple top European leagues. He made his name at Ajax, where he spent six seasons in the first team, helping the Dutch giants secure three Eredivisie titles.
His performances at Ajax turned him into one of the most in-demand goalkeepers in Europe. However, after leaving the club on a free transfer, he chose to join Inter Milan in 2022.
At Inter, Onana quickly became the club’s No.1 goalkeeper and played a key role in their Champions League campaign, helping them reach the final in 2023, where they narrowly lost to Manchester City. His displays caught the attention of Manchester United, who saw him as the ideal goalkeeper to fit Erik ten Hag’s system.
The Red Devils ultimately secured his signature for £47.2 million in July 2023, officially marking the end of the David de Gea era at Old Trafford.
Onana Almost Joined Lyon Instead of Inter Milan
While Arsenal and Chelsea showed interest, Onana also revealed that he came closest to signing for Lyon before making the switch to Inter Milan.
“Lyon. I spoke with the president and the technical director, so it was advanced anyway,” Onana admitted.
However, the transfer didn’t go through, largely because Onana had already set his sights on learning Italian, hinting that a move to Serie A was a more attractive challenge for him at that point.
“It was difficult for me to speak with the president because I had decided to learn Italian.”
Instead of heading to Ligue 1, Onana took on a new challenge with Inter Milan, where he became a key player under Simone Inzaghi.
Did Arsenal & Chelsea Miss Out on a Top Goalkeeper?
Given the struggles both Arsenal and Chelsea have had with goalkeepers in recent years, many fans might wonder whether they missed an opportunity to sign Onana.
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Arsenal eventually signed David Raya in 2023, replacing Aaron Ramsdale as their first-choice goalkeeper. Raya has had mixed performances, and some fans still debate whether he was the right choice.
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Chelsea signed Robert Sánchez as their new No.1, but his form has been inconsistent, raising questions about whether a more experienced goalkeeper like Onana would have been a better option.
Had either club secured Onana, their goalkeeping situation could have looked very different today.
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Onana’s Impact at Manchester United: A Mixed Start
Since joining Manchester United, Onana has had a rollercoaster start to life at Old Trafford.
Strengths: His ability to play out from the back has helped Manchester United transition into a more modern, possession-based team, something manager Erik ten Hag values highly.
Challenges: Onana faced early criticism due to some costly errors in the Champions League group stage. However, his performances have improved, and he remains a key part of United’s project.
Despite the initial challenges, Onana has shown glimpses of the elite-level goalkeeper that Arsenal and Chelsea once wanted.
Final Thoughts: A Transfer That Worked Out for Man United?
In the end, Arsenal and Chelsea chose different goalkeeping options, and Manchester United were the ones who secured Onana’s services.
While the transfer hasn’t been without its ups and downs, Onana remains an important figure in United’s squad. If he can consistently perform at a high level, his signing may prove to be one of the club’s smartest moves in recent years.
Meanwhile, fans of Arsenal and Chelsea may continue to wonder: What if Onana had signed for us instead?