The Italian coach has suggested the Nerazzurri may need to cash in (Pictures: Getty)
Inter boss Simone Inzaghi says Manchester United target Andre Onana will return to training this week but has suggested the Italian club may need to sell the in-demand goalkeeper.
The Red Devils are locked in talks with their Italian counterparts over a deal for Onana, with United hopeful of completing a £44million swoop in time for the Cameroonian to join the squad for the start of their pre-season tour of the United States.
Onana will return to Milan for pre-season training on Thursday as planned despite the speculation surrounding his future, though Inzaghi has not ruled out the possibility of losing his number one.
Asked about the 27-year-old’s future at a press conference on Wednesday, Inzaghi replied: ‘He’s an Inter player, tomorrow [Thursday] he’ll be among the players called up for pre-season.
‘We know the transfer window is unpredictable and that all Italian clubs have to sell before they can buy.
‘We know there’s this risk [that he leaves] but at the same time, I’m calm about it all because the club and the owners have reassured me that this year we’ll have a competitive Inter.’
Should Onana leave, Inter will need to bring in two new goalkeepers with veteran shot-stopper Samir Handanovic having left on a free transfer after 11 years of service at San Siro.
Inzaghi seems to be preparing for life after Onana (Picture: Getty)
Inter have been linked with swoops for both Bayern Munich’s Yann Sommer and Shakhtar Donetsk youngster Anatoliy Trubin to replace the pair, with Inzaghi keen to stick with the same profile of goalkeeper.
Asked what Inter will look for when replacing Onana and Handanovic, Inzaghi continued: ‘The goalkeeper will have to be technically good, so together with the club we’re looking to find not just one but somebody else too.
‘Over the last couple of years at Inter, first with Samir and then with Onana, we were able to count on goalkeepers who were very good with their feet.
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‘In my last year at Lazio too I had Pepe Reina, so the goalkeeper will definitely have to have that skillset.’
United, meanwhile, are looking to secure a deal for Onana as quickly as possible after David de Gea confirmed he had decided to leave the club on a free transfer last Saturday.
The long-serving Spaniard has been a free agent since the end of June after United withdrew a contract extension at the eleventh hour, though they had asked him to delay a decision on his future until they had ascertained whether they could secure a deal for Onana or not.
Erik ten Hag is eager to be reunited with the Cameroonian, who is an outstanding passer of the ball, with the pair having previously worked together at Ajax.
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The Italian coach has suggested the Nerazzurri may need to cash in.
