Arsenal are considering making an offer for Ajax goalkeeper Andre Onana, according to multiple reports in the English and Dutch media.
The Cameroon international is currently banned until the New Year for a doping violation, although an appeal may reduce the length of his suspension.
Onana’s ban, combined with the fact that he has only twelve months left on his contract, mean he could be available for only £7m this summer. Supporters on Twitter are very much split on whether the Gunners should be pursuing the 25-year-old:
What a player this will be yesssss
— bradleyy (@bradesXD) June 1, 2021
So we’re gonna sign someone who’s on a 12 month ban…
— Solomon Ebrahimoff?? (@Solomon14Ebrah) June 1, 2021
Dumb move
— EPCA (@EPCA16) June 1, 2021
Finallyyyy
— Saltyy ?? (@SaltyyPepe) June 1, 2021
Defense will be strong next season if we get onana, re-sign Ryan, start saliba and buy a new rb. Looking forward to see how we shape up for the pre season Friendly's.
— Fish (@fishdott) June 1, 2021
Ffs he’s not even better than Leno probably on par with each other but we sold martinez ??♂️??♂️??♂️??♂️
— Wayne gauntlett (@waynosg) June 1, 2021
Good acquisition..
— ABG (@Awwalgimba) June 1, 2021
IMO, I don't rate Onana over Leno and Ryan. Let's not get too excited about this link…
— arsenalabsolutely @ENDSARSNOW# (@arsenalabsolut1) June 1, 2021
This man can play
— Roy Townsend (@RPTownsend) June 1, 2021
He has a lot of mistake in him too, we need a 6’4 keeper that is very commanding
— partsola (@john_capable) June 1, 2021
If the interest in Onana is genuine, it would suggest that Bernd Leno is destined to leave the Emirates in the coming weeks and months. The German has publicly stated that he wants to stay but, with two years remaining on his current deal, it may be the case that the London club have decided to cash in.
Whether Onana would be an upgrade on Leno, it is open for debate, but his availability for such a low transfer fee appears to have tempted Arsenal into making a move for him.