Lyon “are in talks” with Ajax over the potential transfer of goalkeeper Andre Onana, despite reported interest from Arsenal.
Onana, 25, has been linked with a host of heavyweight clubs across the continent since bursting onto the scene at the Johan Cruyff Arena in 2016.
The Cameroon international was a key cog in Ajax’s famous run to the Champions League semi-final in 2018/19 under Erik ten Hag.
Arsenal and Inter Milan are among the clubs touted as possible destinations for Onana this summer, but it appears Lyon have stole a march on their transfer rivals in the pursuit of the goalkeeper’s signature.
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The player’s agent, Albert Botines, has confirmed Les Gones, who recently appointed former Ajax manager Peter Bosz as their new head coach, have opened discussions with the Amsterdammers over a potential deal.
Botines told Voetbal Primeur: “Yes, they are interested. The clubs are in talks.”
The news will come as a blow to the Gunners, who were thought to be keeping tabs on Onana’s situation in the Dutch capital, with Mat Ryan now back at Brighton after his short loan spell in north London.
Fans will also be frustrated that Emiliano Martinez has continued to produce wonders since leaving the Emirates for Aston Villa last summer, recently keeping a clean sheet as Argentina won the Copa America at the expense of hosts Brazil in the final.
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The 28-year-old sealed the competition’s Golden Glove in the process, adding another individual accolade to his mantlepiece after collecting the ‘Player of the Season’ award in his maiden campaign for Aston Villa, in which he kept 15 clean sheets in the Premier League.
Lyon meanwhile are looking to rebuild following the departure of Rudi Garcia at the end of the 2020/21 season, in which the club finished fourth and missed out on the Champions League, with Bosz drafted in to improve the club’s fortunes in Ligue 1.
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The acquisition of Onana would certainly be a statement signing from Bosz, with the Cameroonian, at one stage, the most coveted goalkeeper in Europe following Ajax’s aforementioned run in the Champions League.
He is currently serving out a nine-month ban for doping violations that ends in November, though he can return to training in September.
