Inter fans are celebrating their new signings, but they must also prepare for what looks like the inevitable departure of Andre Onana to Manchester United and it could be a huge loss for this team.
Beppe Marotta is proving once again that Juventus made the biggest mistake of their existence by pushing him out to give Fabio Paratici free rein, because there are few better wheeler-dealers on the transfer market. Marcus Thuram and Davide Frattesi snubbed interest from elsewhere to join them, the average age of the squad is dropping fast and I wouldn’t count against Romelu Lukaku making the move permanent from Chelsea at a third of the price he was sold for only two years ago.
However, this all comes at a cost and that will be the exit of Onana. Manchester United are trying to creep their way towards a deal, but it’s going to happen. Inter are not in a position where they can turn down €50m for a player they got for free 12 months ago and in financial terms, it’s a no-brainer. When it comes to the sporting side of the transfer, things are a little murkier. It’s a move they may well live to regret.
Onana was more than just a goalkeeper for Inter in his one and looks like only season at San Siro. He made some remarkable reaction saves, but was above all crucial for playing out from the back, even registering a couple of assists this season. The Cameroon international brought back the age of the sweeper keeper, sometimes wandering alarmingly far out of his own penalty area to make sure his teammates didn’t defend too deep. His greatest strength was probably sparking counter-attacks with a very quick throw or pass after capturing the ball from a corner or opposition attack, giving the other team no chance to get back into shape.
These are the things that Manchester United fans can look forward to and the very reason why Erik ten Hag wants Onana so badly. Inter don’t necessarily need that all the time, and certainly didn’t have it with Samir Handanovic, but it will take something away from their game going forward, just as Milan sorely missed Mike Maignan during his injury troubles.
The biggest concern for Inter will be how to replace Onana, because the delay means Tottenham Hotspur have snapped up first choice Guglielmo Vicario from Empoli. The other alternatives mentioned, including Anatolij Trubin of Shakhtar Donetsk and veteran Yann Sommer of Bayern Munich don’t exactly excite the supporters.
Goalkeepers are the most irreplaceable of figures in a team, they do a lot more than just stand there ready to parry whatever comes at them. Some are stronger and braver at coming out to capture crosses, others help start moves from the back, their very aura spreads either confidence or anxiety all the way through a defence. Just remember what happened when Ionut Radu stepped in for Handanovic against Bologna and wrecked their title hopes, or how much Milan suffered having Ciprian Tatarusanu in the box. Imagine how Lazio’s season would’ve gone had Luis Maximiano not been sent off six minutes into his debut, giving Ivan Provedel the gloves that always really belonged to him. Provedel went on to equal the record for Serie A clean sheets in a season and the Biancocelesti secured second place.
Perhaps Inter should hold out for more and request the full €60m for Onana? Manchester United set the bar with €87m for Harry Maguire in 2019 and all other transfers will be measured by the idiocy of that expense. There is always another defender, midfielder or striker who can help out if there is poor form, but the goalkeeper is another matter, the points won and lost are tangible. Unfortunately, it’s likely the Nerazzurri will cave at €55m including add-ons and that will be a bargain for the Premier League side. Here’s hoping the money will be enough to make up for his loss at San Siro.
Twitter: @SusyCampanale
Inter is know to do this every year to balance the sheets. But the cost may very well be too high for them. Onana was a guarantee in goal, who is there to replace him? The move may balance the sheets, but willl destabilize the defense.
His quick release and long ball wil be missed.