Onana to leave Arena as Ajax goalkeeper aims for summer move

Andre Onana diving low to make a save against Heerenveen
Andre Onana in action against Heerenveen last month. Photo: Ronald Bonestroo/HH
Andre Onana diving low to make a save against Heerenveen
Andre Onana in action against Heerenveen last month. Photo: Ronald Bonestroo/HH

Ajax goalkeeper André Onana looks to have played his last game for the club after he told Dutch media he would be seeking a transfer during the summer.

The 24-year-old Cameroon international is under contract until the summer of 2022, but has an agreement with the club that allows him to leave at the end of the season if a suitable offer comes in.

‘Don’t get me wrong, I’m very happy with Ajax and very grateful to the club. I’ve had five fantastic years here,’ he told AD.nl. ‘But it’s time for me to take the next step. We made this agreement last year. I don’t know what’s going to happen, but my ambitions and the terms are clear.’

Onana’s previous club Barcelona are said to be in the running for his signature, along with Chelsea in England, Paris Saint-Germain and German club Borussia Dortmund, according to his Spanish agent, Albert Botines.

‘Barcelona haven’t made an official offer to Ajax for Andre, but they have indicated to me that they have serious and wide-ranging interest,’ said Botines. ‘The club needs to make financial concessions, so they’ve proposed including Barcelona’s current goalkeeper in the deal.’

Ajax head coach Erik ten Hag said no firm offers had yet been made for Onana. The club will probably have to accept a lower fee because the financial impact of coronavirus has taken the heat out of the transfer market.

‘Andre is very important to us and of course we don’t want to lose him,’ said Ten Hag. ‘But it’s true that we have an agreement from last year about the development scenario and what steps we will take if the right club comes in at the right price.’

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