Inter-linked Ajax goalkeeper Andre Onana has given an update on his future, clarifying that he is still open to staying at Ajax past next summer and that he has not reached an agreement with any club about a move next summer as a free agent.
Speaking to Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf in an interview published in today’s print edition, the Cameroonian denied having an agreement in place amid strong links to Inter in particular.
The Nerazzurri are in search of a long-term replacement for captain Samir Handanovic, who is now 37, and Onana is reportedly a player who the club have been in talks with.
The 25-year-old, who will be able to return to the pitch following a one-year doping ban in a little over a month, is thought to have been in discussions with a number of clubs throughout the summer but none of these talks resulted in a move.
Onana could make the switch to Inter on a free transfer next summer should he not agree on a new deal with his current club, but as he makes clear there is no agreement in place that this should happen.
“I have an excellent relationship with Edwin Van der Sar, Marc Overmars and Erik ten Hag,” he said. “But it’s not in my hands. Everything is negotiable. Ajax must do what is good for Ajax. Of course I am still open to a new contract. In 2019 I extended my contract until the summer of 2022, and after the Champions League semi-final I have already said that I was open to an even longer contract.”
He went on, “Van der Sar and Overmars decided not to enter into the matter, because either during that transfer market or in the next session it might be time for me to take a new step.”
Onana explained that talks with the Dutch champions never resulted in an extension, stating that “After the start of the pandemic and because of my suspension, the club still wanted to talk to me. At least, this was my understanding. My agent Albert Botines then had six or seven meeting and he felt that we were close to an agreement.”
“But at a certain point it became a question of take or leave for Ajax. The club pulled the plug. We were open to further negotiations, but we haven’t heard from the club since,” he continued.
On links to French side Lyon over the summer he said, “Yes, that’s true. I also had many conversations with [Lyon manager] Peter Bosz and for me it is an honour that such a club wanted me. Unfortunately in the end we are not managed to reach an agreement. The same goes for Nice.”
“Fifteen clubs want me on a free transfer in the summer of 2022,” Onana said. “The rumours that I already have an agreement with another club are not true. It is not logical that I offer Ajax a chance to talk about it first? Albert Botines will come to Amsterdam soon and then we’ll see. I just want to focus on my return. Anything is possible. At the moment let’s let Ajax and my agent sit down and see what can happen.”
