Arsenal to sign Andre Onana on bargain summer transfer

Arsenal look set to secure their first signing of the summer transfer window with goalkeeper Andre Onana expected to move to north London from Ajax with his contract expiring in 2022.

Activity at Arsenal and it’s happening in the area of the pitch most thought would be the least necessary to tackle. Heading into a window where full-backs and midfielders of every variety were the primary subjects, in between the sticks is heating up.

What will Arsenal do with Bernd Leno? A few months ago he was being spoken about in the bracket of some of the Premier League’s, and Europe’s, finest only to embark on a exceedingly disappointing second half of the campaign.

Leno then openly admitted he may seek a new adventure elsewhere and multiple credible sources listed him as wanting to move on this summer. More work on top of an already outstanding amount of work.

Arsenal close to bargain Andre Onana summer transfer as Bernd Leno replacement

Backup goalkeeper Mat Ryan had a solid enough six month loan spell but there are concerns over his lack of homegrown status, while Alex Runarsson is so far off the standard required most had forgotten about him entirely.

Then links emerged to Andre Onana, a goalkeeper in a perilous position. Mistakenly consuming a banned substance that was in his girlfriend’s medication, he’s been banned from playing since February, not even allowed to train with his first team colleagues.

An appeal has been lodged to CAS to have it reduced, which if successful will see him be able to return sooner, and if that is rejected he will have to wait until next February. However, as per reliable Dutch outlet NOS, Arsenal will push through regardless.

It is ‘almost certain’ he will leave Ajax this summer having courted the interest of Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain with just 12 months left on his deal. However, Arsenal want to grant Onana the No. 1 jersey unlike the other two, which will seemingly have huge ramifications on Leno’s future.

Once the Cameroonian learns the extent of his CAS appeal, the transfer will move ‘quickly’ and the Gunners will secure their man. If his ban is reduced he will cost in the region of €6m-€9m (£5m-£8m) and if unsuccessful he will be sold for a mere €2m. Both fees are bargains for a ball-playing goalkeeper of this quality.

Ajax’s director of football affairs, Marc Overmars, has already bid farewell to Onana. But will Arsenal bid farewell to Leno?

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