Ajax goalkeeper Andre Onana could be set to join Arsenal this summer, although his transfer fee will be determined by the outcome of his impending case at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
That’s according to NOS, who say the Gunners have the ‘best credentials’ to sign the goalkeeper this summer.
The Dutch outlet explains that while Onana still has a contract with Ajax until 2022, it is ‘almost certain’ that he will leave this summer.
Arsenal have ‘the best credentials’ to secure his signature as they seek a new number one to replace Bernd Leno.
Manchester United and Paris Saint Germain have also shown interest, but they have David de Gea and Keylor Navas and can’t guarantee Onana will be the first choice.
Arsenal, on the other hand, have ‘expressed their preference’ for him to be the number one and as soon as the outcome of his case with CAS – Onana is currently serving a drugs ban which he disputes – is settled, the transfer should go through ‘fairly quickly’.
If the penalty on him is reduced, he would likely cost €6-9m, but if CAS keep don’t overturn it, Ajax will have to settle for ‘around €2m’.
Behind the scenes, they have already accepted that Onana will be leaving, and director of football Marc Overmars has already ‘secretly said goodbye’ to the goalkeeper.
Negotiations over a contract extension were ‘halted’ in the spring and Ajax have already moved to bring new goalkeepers to the club to replace him.
Thus, everything is set up for Arsenal to get their man and the replacement for Leno that they want, although for what price remains to be seen.
