Andre Onana admits rejecting two Premier League rivals before Man Utd transfer | OneFootball

Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana has admitted he snubbed approaches from Arsenal and Chelsea before making his move to Old Trafford in 2023.

Onana joined United from Inter, opting to reunite with the manager who helped propel him to stardom at Ajax, Erik ten Hag. The stopper enjoyed plenty of success in both Italy and the Netherlands and was often linked with blockbuster moves before eventually taking his talents to Manchester.

Speaking to CARRE, Onana reflected on some of the failed transfer approaches he received earlier in his career, and named both Arsenal and Chelsea among his suitors during his days with Ajax.

"I had Monaco, I had Nice, I had Atletico Madrid, I had Chelsea, Arsenal..." he revealed.

Arsenal were heavily linked with a move for Onana in 2021 as he approached the end of his contract with Ajax but, after picking up both Aaron Ramsdale and David Raya in the years that followed, declined to reignite their interest when Onana was at Inter.

Onana was incredibly highly rated during his time at Ajax / VI-Images/GettyImages

Chelsea, however, were right there with United as they tried to convince Onana to head to Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2023.

Goalkeeper has been an area of real concern for Chelsea ever since Thibaut Courtois' departure to Real Madrid in 2018. His replacement, Kepa Arrizabalaga, failed to impress, while Edouard Mendy lasted just three seasons before departing for Saudi Arabia and being replaced by Robert Sanchez in the weeks that followed Onana's move to United.

Onana has endured a mixed time in the Premier League, combining some impressive saves with a series of high-profile errors, and now finds himself heavily linked with a move away from the club.

However, Onana is prepared to stand firm and has no plans to walk away from United at the end of the season.