Arsenal are expected to accelerate their interest in Ajax goalkeeper Andre Onana after the latest CAS verdict, as per reports in Goal.
The 25-year-old was the Dutch side’s first-choice shot-stopper but hasn’t been in action since February. This was due to a 12-month ban that was imposed after the player accidentally consumed a banned substance.
Goal report that Arsenal have been interested in signing Onana since January, but financial issues have prevented them from launching a move. However, the north Londoners have been in touch with the player’s representatives and have been waiting for the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) verdict on his ban.
CAS has made a decision to reduce the keeper’s ban to nine months, which means that the Cameroonian will be eligible to train from the first week of September and can start playing from the third of November.
The report further states that talks between the Emirates club and Ajax are expected to accelerate in the next few days, post the CAS verdict. A fee in the region of £7 million would be enough to convince the Netherlands club.
Arsenal Fever View
The north Londoners are interested in the Cameroonian as they look to bolster their options between the nets. Leno’s future is uncertain and Mat Ryan has returned to Brighton and Hove Albion following a loan spell.
With the keeper’s contract set to expire at the end of the 2021/22 season, the English side can get him for cheap which makes the deal even more attractive. Before the ban, Onana was one of the most exciting shot-stoppers playing in Europe. His reflexes, command and passing range made him the ideal modern goalkeeper.
The Cameroonian helps in building the attack and this is something that Mikel Arteta would love. They will get a keeper with plenty of experience who could also open up new ways for the Gunners to approach games. Arsenal could soon get to see Onana at the Emirates stadium and that too without eating much of their transfer budget.
