Barcelona hold meeting for return of elite La Masia graduate
Barcelona still keen on bringing back the former academy goalkeeper.
The goalkeeper situation at Barcelona is a little bit murky at the moment. Starter Marc-Andre ter Stegen still has some years left in his contract but an extension is currently on hold. Neto seems to have one foot out the door.
With the former Valencia man on his way out, the club are going to need a back-up and they must feel that Iñaki Peña is not ready.
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That’s why, according to Sport, Barcelona held meeting with Ajax over the possibility of signing their keeper, André Onana. Representatives from the Catalan side met with his agent and the Ajax sporting director, Marc Overmars.
They wanted to see if Ajax were willing to negotiate and Ajax told them that Onana would be available for €40 million. A figure too large for Barcelona considering who they have as their number one at the moment.
Other clubs such as Chelsea and PSG are also rumored to be interested in Onana but the Cameroonian goalkeeper is holding out hope for a return to the Camp Nou.
The fee put on by Ajax is going to be a detriment and Barça is certainly not going to pay that amount. If it doesn’t come down, then they’re more than likely going to stick with Peña regardless if they think he’s ready or not.
The head-scratcher in this ordeal is why Onana would want to return to his former club. With Ter Stegen there, he is not going to play very often. Unless the club is concerned that Ter Stegen isn’t going to sign a new deal and want to have an adequate replacement.
Next. Barcelona lose out on Fabian and Koulibaly due to Bartomeu’s negligence. dark
Barca want to make as much as they can from player transfers this offseason and splashing that much for a back-up keeper makes little sense. If Onana wants to come back, then he’s going to have to convince Ajax to considerably lower their asking price.