Losing a superstar player after just one season is nothing new for fans of Inter.
Recent success stories such as Joao Cancelo and Achraf Hakimi have been sniped after productive single seasons at San Siro and it looks almost a certainty at the time of writing that Andre Onana will be next.
Manchester United have agreed on a deal to bring the Cameroonian to Old Trafford which will see him reunited with his former Ajax coach Erik Ten Hag.
Onana impressed immensely once he was trusted to be Inter’s first choice stopper, most notably for his excellent footwork and distribution, something highly valued by Total Football indoctrinated Ten Hag. It must also be mentioned that Onana was part of the Inter back line that kept the most clean sheets in last season’s Champions League on the run that saw Il Biscione reach the final.
With David De Gea out of contract and seemingly on the decline, it was clear that Manchester United would be bringing in a goalkeeper this summer and by bringing in Onana they are signing one of the world’s best.
Whilst it is a common known fact that Onana embodies all of the stand out qualities that make him the ideal modern goalkeeper, this deal isn’t all bad news for Inter either.
A player they signed for free last summer is now netting them upwards of €50million which can be spent on enhancing a squad that will be aiming to wrestle the Scudetto away from Naples.
Rumours have linked Inter with a wise move for Bayern Munich veteran stopper Yann Sommer, who may well be available for a nominal fee given both his age and also Bayern’s other options in that position. For the short term he presents excellent value and would allow Inter to sign a younger understudy to eventually replace him. Rumours of Shakhtar keeper Anatoliy Trubin appear to be gaining some momentum with the player himself even making noises about the move over his Instagram.
Given the huge financial disparity between Serie A and the Premier League and now also the emerging Saudi Pro League too, even the giant Italian sides such as Inter must generate financial income and spend it wisely if they are to stay in Europe and enjoy its rewards that will allow them to attract players and stay trying to eat at Europe’s top table.
Marcelo Brozovic’s departure allowed Inter to bring in Davide Fratessi on an obligatory loan to purchase deal which spreads financial cost, Marcus Thuram has arrived on a free transfer on less wages than the departing Edin Dzeko so could Onana’s departure make way for Sommer, Trubin and even go some way towards bringing in a striker? It seems likely and there is already a guarantee that Inter will not be troubled.
In Beppe Marotta Inter do trust.
Jake Smalley | GIFN
