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Free-transfer signing could be answer for Arsenal with first-teamer looking to leave

Arsenal transfer target Andre Onana looks all set to leave Ajax in the winter transfer window if not for free next summer, according to Ajax director of football Marc Overmars.

Arsenal reportedly outlined Onana as a goalkeeper target earlier in the summer. In fact, according to The Timesthey made an offer for him.

That came to nothing though with the player waiting to see the outcome of a ban for taking a prohibited substance. He was banned in February, but in June saw his ban reduced from 12 months to nine months by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Onana always claimed he took something unknowingly as it was in his wife’s medicine, which he took mistakenly. But UEFA suspended him for a year, putting the Ajax goalkeeper’s career on hold.

But with his ban has been reduced by three months, he will be allowed to play again from November 4. What’s more, he can resume training from this month. And that may well trigger interest from Arsenal once more.

When asked about the 25-year-old’s future in Holland, Overmars, told Ajax TV: “You never know in football, but the way I see it now, I don’t see that happening anytime soon.

“It is possible that he will leave in the winter, but that must yield a decent amount. It must go both ways. If the amount is not sufficient, then [he will leave] in July for nothing.

“We tried for a long time to extend the contract, that didn’t work. We gave the last window the space to make a transfer, that didn’t work either. As a club we also have to continue.

“We have recruited two keepers. Jay Gorter, a talent that we are trying to put in Ajax 1 in the future and Remko Pasveer for the short term. As a club we have to move on and then we can’t wait for, in this case, André. “

 

And Ajax’s loss may well be Arsenal’s gain.

However, according to Italian journalist Nicolo Schira, Onana has decided to leave Ajax next summer for free. And Inter Milan are understood to be in talks over landing the player.

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Leno keen on Arsenal exit

Mikel Arteta landed Aaron Ramsdale in the summer from Sheffield United for an initial £24m, rising to £30m with add-ons.

Ramsdale has been brought in to rival Bernd Leno, a man whose future looks far from assured.

Football.london understands that Leno is desperate to play regular European football.

The Germany goalkeeper denied he was looking to move on earlier in the summer, but it’s believed if a suitable offer was lodged for the 29-year-old then Arsenal would allow him to move on.

“I don’t want to flee here, I feel good and want to be successful again with Arsenal! Arsenal are a big club, which is extremely underestimated in Germany, there are many Arsenal fans all over the world,” he told Sport 1 in May.

“I still have a two-year contract and hope to play in the Champions League again with Arsenal.”

READ MORE: Arsenal ‘agree deal in principle’ for experienced boss to replace Mikel Arteta

 

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