Chelsea fans hoping to see André Onana donning the blue shirt at Stamford Bridge next season may have to look elsewhere, as Inter Milan CEO Giuseppe Marotta has dismissed reports of a €40m deal for the Cameroonian goalkeeper.
In an exclusive interview with Italian sports newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport, Marotta said he would "honestly" rule out the possibility of Onana leaving Inter this summer. He revealed that the club had not received any offers for the 25-year-old, who joined Inter on loan from Ajax in January with an option to buy for €9.5m.
"We think he will stay," Marotta said of Onana, who has made six appearances for Inter so far. "We have been satisfied with his performances, and he has adapted well to the team and the city. He has a long-term contract with us, and we do not plan to sell him."
Marotta's comments will come as a relief to Inter fans who feared that Onana could be sold to raise funds for the club's transfer market activities. Inter are reportedly in financial difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the departure of their former owner, Chinese businessman Zhang Jindong.
However, Marotta insisted that Inter were not in a rush to sell any of their players, including Onana. He said the club had a clear strategy to balance their books while also improving the squad under the guidance of new head coach Simone Inzaghi.
"We are not in a situation where we have to sell players to survive," Marotta said. "We have a plan to strengthen the team, and we will do it step by step. We are in a transition phase, but we have confidence in our project and our players."
Marotta's comments may also disappoint Chelsea fans who were hoping to see Onana compete with Kepa Arrizabalaga and Edouard Mendy for the starting goalkeeper spot. Chelsea have been linked with several goalkeepers this summer, including AC Milan's Gianluigi Donnarumma and Lille's Mike Maignan.
However, it remains to be seen whether Chelsea will continue to pursue Onana or turn their attention elsewhere. Onana has been a reliable goalkeeper for Ajax and Cameroon in recent years, winning three Eredivisie titles, one KNVB Cup, and reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League in 2019.
Onana is currently serving a one-year ban from football for violating doping regulations, but he is allowed to train with Inter and play for Cameroon in international matches. He is set to return to action in February 2022, and it's unclear whether Inter will exercise their option to buy him permanently from Ajax.
In conclusion, while Chelsea fans may be disappointed by Marotta's comments on Onana's future, Inter Milan fans can breathe a sigh of relief. Onana's future at Inter looks secure for now, and he could play a crucial role in their quest to regain the Serie A title next season. As for Chelsea, they may need to look elsewhere for a new goalkeeper or stick with Kepa and Mendy for another season.