Ajax head coach Erik Ten Hag hopes that Inter target Andre Onana will stay on with the Dutch champions past summer and has told the player he’d like to continue working with him.
Speaking to Dutch news outlet De Telegraaf, the Dutch tactician gave an update on the Cameroonian’s situation amid speculation that he could leave his current club on a free transfer next summer with the Nerazzurri one of the likeliest destinations for him.
Inter are seriously considering Onana as a long-term replacement for Samir Handanovic with the current Number One turning 38 next summer.
The 25-year-old could be brought in as a free agent next summer should he not agree an extension on his contract with the Amsterdam-based club, with his deal expiring at the end of June 2022.
However, Ten Hag still hopes that an agreement can be found on a new contract and that Onana will remain with the Dutch side rather than finding a new club next summer.
“I think it is best for all parties to extend his contract and I also recommended this to Onana,” he said. “The contract extension is definitely an option for me, but in the end [Ajax Sporting Director]Marc Overmars and the player will take care of it together.”
He went on, “Onana will definitely take my advice into account, and then he and his entourage will have to decide.”
Ten Hag explained that the 25-year-old is still in Ajax’s plans for this season once he returns from the doping ban which he is currently serving, stating that “We put him on the squad list for the Champions League and this has not been done without reason.”
He concluded, “I am very grateful to him for what he has done for Ajax and for me in recent years. If the club needs him, I will definitely push for to be able to stay on with him.”
