Manchester United sets Onana's price at 45 million! Too expensive, Trabzonspor announces summer return.

Trabzonspor executives disclose that Manchester United has set a price of 45-50 million euros (40-43 million pounds) for goalkeeper André Onana, who is on loan this season, leading them to not purchase him this summer; Onana will return to the Red Devils in July.

In July 2023, Manchester United signed Onana from Inter Milan for 45 million euros, plus 5 million euros in add-ons. The Cameroon goalkeeper had just performed excellently in the Champions League final, earning public praise from Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola. Then-Manchester United coach Erik ten Hag, to acquire him, reversed his decision and withdrew a new contract offer of £200,000 per week for David de Gea to bring in his favored player.

However, Onana, touted as a "revolutionary goalkeeper," ultimately undermined Ten Hag's plans with consecutive errors, forcing Manchester United to sign a new goalkeeper again. Last summer, after Sena Ramens joined from Royal Antwerp for £18 million, Sir Jim Ratcliffe's management team loaned out Onana.

This season, Onana played 21 matches for Trabzonspor, but his performance remains inconsistent. The team currently ranks third in the Turkish Super League, but due to Manchester United's high asking price, the Turkish club has clearly stated they will not pay that amount to buy Onana.

The loan contract for Onana to Trabzonspor does not include any purchase option or mandatory obligation; to complete a transfer, they must negotiate a fee with Manchester United. However, the gap between the two sides in price is too large.

Trabzonspor vice-chairman Ziyat Kavkas told Turkish media: "Manchester United indicated that the offer to buy Onana needs to be between 45 and 50 million euros. Given our actual situation, our chairman must honestly disclose this reality. I think this information does not harm Onana, as his intention is, if he cannot stay in England, to continue playing for other clubs in Europe. His family shares the same view."

Recent British media reports suggest Onana wants to return to Manchester United and compete with Ramens for the starting spot, believing he can do it. Regarding Onana's future, Kavkas added: "If circumstances change, the situation will also change."

Trabzonspor coach Fatih Tek stated that the Cameroon international goalkeeper will decide his own future. He explained: "Onana is currently with us on loan. In some matches he performed poorly, but in many games he performed quite well. I am very satisfied with Onana's positive attitude, both in performance and character. He comes from one of the best teams in the world and has faced some difficulties. But he feels comfortable here. The chairman's words reflect Onana's own thoughts, but actual situations may change during matches. He is happy here now, but regarding his future, he will make his own decision."

No club in the world would pay 45 million euros for Onana. If Manchester United does not lower the price, this 29-year-old goalkeeper will have to return to Old Trafford. His £120,000 weekly salary is also a major obstacle; Trabzonspor covered all wages this season, and due to different tax rates, Onana's actual income even increased, but his performance clearly did not meet expectations. Teams willing to take on Onana's salary level are few in Europe.

To promote Onana, Manchester United recently had legend Edwin van der Sar praise him, insisting Onana is a world-class goalkeeper. "I worked with André for three or four years. He has many excellent qualities, especially his distribution and other aspects, but somehow he occasionally makes mistakes. Sometimes you think: 'Wow, this is crazy, how can he make such an error?' He joined Ajax as the third goalkeeper but was eager to improve, later becoming the second and then the first goalkeeper. Then he went to Inter and performed very well. Of course, because I knew him from his time at Ajax, witnessed his growth, and then his success in Serie A, including reaching the Champions League final, I originally thought his move to Manchester United was a perfect match."