Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana is on the verge of sealing a loan move to Trabzonspor, where he is set to double his wages after the Super Lig side offered a lucrative package that United refused to match.
The Cameroonian shot-stopper, who joined United from Inter Milan in 2023 for £47 million, was initially expected to remain at Old Trafford beyond this summer’s Premier League transfer deadline. However, with the Turkish transfer window still open until Friday, the 29-year-old has agreed to a season-long loan switch to Trabzonspor.
Why Onana pushed for a move
Onana’s departure comes after months of uncertainty surrounding his future at Old Trafford. The goalkeeper, like many of his teammates, took a 25% pay cut when United failed to qualify for the Champions League for a second successive season.
Unhappy with the reduced salary, Onana reportedly requested a pay rise—a demand that new United boss Ruben Amorim rejected. Instead, the club pressed ahead with plans to strengthen their goalkeeping department, signing Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp on deadline day in a deal worth £21.7 million.
With United unwilling to renegotiate his contract, Onana opted to accept Trabzonspor’s offer, which includes a big signing-on fee, performance-related bonuses, and a substantial wage increase.
Details of the loan deal
- Type of deal: Season-long loan
- Loan fee: None – United will not receive an upfront payment
- Buy option: Trabzonspor will not have the option to make the deal permanent
- Return clause: Onana is due to return to United at the end of the season
Trabzonspor accelerated negotiations after deciding to sell their long-time goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir to Galatasaray. Onana is expected to travel to Turkey on Thursday to complete his medical and finalise the deal before the transfer window shuts.
What this means for Manchester United
Since arriving from Inter, Onana’s time at Old Trafford has been plagued by inconsistency and high-profile errors. Despite his reputation as a modern sweeper-keeper, he has struggled to convince both fans and coaching staff.
This season, Onana has been overlooked for all three Premier League fixtures, with Altay Bayindir preferred as first-choice. His only appearance came in the Carabao Cup defeat to Grimsby Town, where he was criticised after a costly mistake in the shock exit.
Manager Ruben Amorim, however, defended him at the time, saying:
“With all due respect, when you play against a fourth-division team, it’s not the goalkeeper—it’s everything. It’s the environment, it’s the way we face the competition. Every detail will be magnified.”
But just weeks later, Onana finds himself heading out of the club, a clear sign that he had slipped down the pecking order.
What this means for Manchester United
For United, Onana’s exit effectively hands the No.1 role to Altay Bayindir while allowing new signing Lammens to develop as a long-term option. The Red Devils’ decision to sanction the loan without a fee underscores how keen they were to move the goalkeeper off the wage bill—at least temporarily.
The deal also means United will not risk the dressing room unrest that might have come from retaining a player unhappy with his contract situation.
What next for Onana?
At 29, Onana still has plenty of years ahead of him, and a strong campaign in Turkey could revive his reputation. With Trabzonspor competing for European places domestically, he will get regular playing time and a fresh chance to rebuild his confidence.
Should he impress, United may either reintegrate him into the squad next summer or look to cash in permanently. For now, though, Onana’s future lies away from Old Trafford, with a hefty payday awaiting him in Trabzon.
