Manchester United goalkeeper André Onana has disclosed that both Arsenal and Chelsea were interested in signing him before he joined the Red Devils last year.
The 27-year-old Cameroonian made the move to Old Trafford in July 2023 for £47.2 million after a season with Inter Milan. Before that, he spent six successful years at Ajax, where he won three Eredivisie titles before leaving on a free transfer to Inter.
In a recent interview with Le Média Carré, Onana admitted that several clubs had shown interest in him during his time in Amsterdam. When asked which teams he nearly joined, he listed Monaco, Nice, Atlético Madrid, Chelsea, and Arsenal.
However, the closest he came to leaving Ajax was for French side Lyon. "I spoke with the president and the technical director, so it was advanced anyway," Onana said. "But it was difficult for me because I had decided to learn Italian," he added, explaining his eventual move to Inter instead.
Since joining United, Onana has been the first-choice goalkeeper under manager Erik ten Hag, reuniting with his former Ajax coach. His revelation highlights the competitive interest in his signature before his high-profile transfer to the Premier League.
