Arsenal journalist Charles Watts has provided fans with an update surrounding their pursuit of Ajax goalkeeper André Onana.
With current number one Bernd Leno’s future somewhat up in the air at the moment, Arsenal could find themselves in a position where they need a new starting goalkeeper next season, and the Ajax goalkeeper could be top of their list.
Watts revealed recently that the club have been interested in him for some time, but that interest was dealt a blow when the goalkeeper was handed a one-year doping ban by UEFA, something that he is appealing, and if successful could allow him to play again in October.
And speaking on his show (4:06), Watts explained what the situation is with his current club whilst also providing an update on what Arsenal are trying to do in order to secure his services:
“They want as far as I understand it between about £10-15m for Onana, but Arsenal and other interested parties believe they can get him for quite a little bit cheaper than that. Between around the £6-8m mark…
“Arsenal are interested and if this ban does get reduced to eight months or so that would open up the possibility of a summer transfer, and that is where as far as I understand it Arsenal may well look to further that interest, and actually make some sort of offer.”
Do Arsenal need to upgrade on Bernd Leno?
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TIF Thoughts on Charles Watts’ comments about André Onana
So according to Watts it appears as though Arsenal could be made to wait on his situation before making a move, which is an awfully risky stance to take. If they are deciding to move on from Leno and replace him, they should ideally have his replacement lined up and ready to go straight away.
Because if they are waiting for the outcome of his case and it ends up going against them, they’ll effectively have wasted their time when another goalkeeper could have already come and gone, in the end leaving them with nothing.
In other news: ‘I’m told’ – Insider drops big claim on Arteta’s future at Arsenal