MX23RW : Tuesday, March 11 09:43:30| >> :60:26:26:

Andre Onana "so, so happy" at Inter Milan amid Chelsea links

Andre Onana
© Reuters
Chelsea-linked goalkeeper Andre Onana insists that he is "so, so happy" at Inter Milan but admits that he will "accept" a move away if the club decide to sell him.

Inter Milan goalkeeper Andre Onana has reaffirmed his commitment to the Nerazzurri amid persistent links with a summer move to Chelsea.

The ex-Cameroon international has proven an adequate successor to Samir Handanovic in the San Siro goal and helped Simone Inzaghi's side reach the Champions League final in his debut season.

Onana kept five clean sheets in six knockout games leading up to the showpiece event, as well as a further three in the group stage to put him one behind Edouard Mendy, who holds the tournament's single-season record with nine shut-outs in 2020-21.

However, the 27-year-old missed out on a record-equalling night as Inter fell to a 1-0 loss to Man City, who clinched their maiden European Cup thanks to Rodri's second-half winner.

Nevertheless, Onana's performances in between the sticks have attracted plenty of attention, and Chelsea are thought to be pushing the hardest to bring the ex-Ajax man to the Premier League.

Cameroon's Andre Onana pictured on November 24, 2022© Reuters

A recent report claimed that Onana had reached an agreement in principle over personal terms with Chelsea, who are supposedly willing to throw in two players as part of a deal.

However, speaking to the media after Inter's defeat in Istanbul, Onana insisted that he was "so, so happy" in Milan, although he could not guarantee that he would remain at the club if they opt to sell him.

"I'm so, so happy at Inter. At this professional level you never know what happens. I'm available for Inter, they decide and I will accept what they want. I'm happy at Inter," the shot-stopper said.

Onana ends his maiden campaign at Inter with 19 clean sheets from 41 appearances in all competitions, including eight shut-outs from 24 Serie A matches.

The former Ajax and Barcelona youngster has also impressed with his footwork throughout the season, and his qualities on the ball were lauded by City boss Pep Guardiola after Saturday's final.

Andre Onana in action for Inter Milan on October 4, 2022© Reuters

"When you have a goalkeeper like Onana who can read perfectly where everyone is to pass to, with [Hakan] Calhanoglu and [Nicolo] Barella, then the strikers hold it up and move the ball around. It is very, very difficult. It would be a tiny bit easier without this goalkeeper, but still very tough," Guardiola said in his post-game press conference.

Chelsea could face competition from Manchester United for the signature of Onana, though, while Tottenham Hotspur have also been credited with an interest but are believed to be prioritising a move for Brentford's David Raya.

The Blues could not settle on an undisputed number one during the 2022-23 season, although Kepa Arrizabalaga was given the nod more often than not thanks to Mendy's lengthy absence with a finger injury.

Kepa lost his place in the team upon Mendy's arrival in 2020, but he kept nine clean sheets in 29 Premier League games this term as Chelsea finished 11th in the table.

Mendy is thought to be on the way out after rejecting an offer to extend his deal, but Kepa's long-term future is also unclear, as he seemingly failed to convince Chelsea that he should be their first-choice goalkeeper moving forward.

ID:516095:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect5868:
Written by
Ben Knapton

Click here for more stories about Andre Onana

Click here for more stories about Manchester United

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Cameroon's Andre Onana pictured on November 24, 2022
Read Next:
Chelsea 'reach agreement in principle with Andre Onana'
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool29217169274270
2Arsenal281510352242855
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest28156745331251
4Chelsea28147753361749
5Manchester CityMan City28145953381547
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle2814594738947
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton28121064640646
8Aston Villa2912984145-445
9Bournemouth28128847341344
10Fulham2811984138342
11Crystal Palace2810993633339
12Brentford28115124844438
13Tottenham HotspurSpurs281041455411434
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd2897123440-634
15Everton2871293135-433
16West Ham UnitedWest Ham2896133248-1633
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2865173857-1923
18Ipswich TownIpswich2838172658-3217
19Leicester CityLeicester2845192562-3717
20Southampton2823232068-489


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!