Key Points
- Intermediaries offered West Ham United the chance to sign Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana.
- West Ham rejected the offer, expressing that Onana is not better than their current goalkeepers.
- Onana joined Manchester United from Inter Milan in July 2023 for €51 million.
- The 29-year-old goalkeeper has endured a challenging time at Manchester United with inconsistent performances.
- Onana has made 100 appearances for Manchester United with 24 clean sheets but also conceded 148 goals.
- Manchester United’s manager Ruben Amorim has preferred Altay Bayindir over Onana in the early 2025/26 season.
- West Ham recently signed Mads Hermansen but remain open to signing another goalkeeper—not Onana.
- Manchester United is pursuing Royal Antwerp’s Senne Lammens as a potential replacement.
- Onana seems determined to stay at Manchester United despite limited playing opportunities.
- The Manchester United dressing room reportedly has lost confidence in the current goalkeepers.
- West Ham plan to look elsewhere to reinforce their goalkeeping department.
Why Did West Ham United Reject the Offer to Sign Andre Onana?
As reported by the Daily Mail and detailed by The Hard Tackle, intermediaries offered West Ham United the opportunity to sign Andre Onana during the summer transfer window. Despite this, the East London club chose to reject the approach. The decision-makers at West Ham reportedly “do not think he is as good as what they already have” in their goalkeeping department, according to The Hard Tackle. This rejection comes even though West Ham has expressed interest in signing a goalkeeper in the final days of the transfer window, especially after recently acquiring Mads Hermansen from Leicester City.
The Daily Mail’s report highlighted that West Ham is not interested in a summer move for Onana and will instead look elsewhere, leaving the Manchester United goalkeeper to likely remain at Old Trafford.
What Has Andre Onana’s Career at Manchester United Been Like So Far?
Andre Onana arrived at Manchester United from Inter Milan in July 2023 for a significant fee of €51 million. His time at Old Trafford has been turbulent, punctuated by high expectations but marred by inconsistent and sometimes calamitous performances. The 29-year-old Cameroonian international replaced long-serving David de Gea but quickly divided fan opinion due to errors and lacklustre displays.
According to The Hard Tackle, Onana has made 100 appearances for Manchester United, registering 24 clean sheets but conceding 148 goals—a statistic reflecting the defensive struggles alongside his own challenges. Ruben Amorim, the club’s manager, has shown preference for Altay Bayindir over Onana in the opening matches of the 2025/26 Premier League season, adding to the goalkeeper’s uncertain future at the club.
What is the Future for Andre Onana After West Ham’s Rejection?
Recent reports stemming from The Peoples Person and The Guardian suggest that Manchester United is prepared to sanction Onana’s sale as they pursue alternatives. The club is negotiating the signing of Senne Lammens, a 23-year-old Belgian goalkeeper from Royal Antwerp, as a potential replacement. However, difficulties have arisen in concluding a deal, partially due to the unwillingness of Onana and Altay Bayindir to leave Manchester United, which complicates the club’s ability to secure reinforcements.
The Guardian disclosed that Manchester United offered Onana on loan to West Ham United, but the proposal was swiftly turned down by the Hammers despite their ambition to strengthen their goalkeeping ranks. This refusal, reported by The Peoples Person and other outlets, underscores a significant decline in Onana’s reputation from his previous heights at Inter Milan and Ajax.
The Manchester United dressing room reportedly feels uneasy about the current goalkeepers, and Onana’s display against Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup—a match lost on penalties where he was mostly at fault—has only heightened doubts. Despite this, Onana appears determined to remain at Old Trafford past the transfer deadline, possibly risking prolonged bench time.
How Has Manchester United’s Goalkeeping Situation Influenced This Decision?
Manchester United’s intense search for a new goalkeeper comes amid a challenging campaign where prior errors and lack of confidence in Onana have left the goalkeeping spot in flux. As outlined by The Peoples Person, manager Ruben Amorim previously vouched for Onana after mistakes in a Europa League quarter-final, calling him a “top, top player,” but this support has grown increasingly tenuous due to inconsistent on-field performances.
The club’s transfer focus has largely been on bolstering the forward line, spending over £200 million on attacking players like Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, and Benjamin Sesko, leaving limited resources for goalkeeping reinforcements. The emergence of Altay Bayindir attempting to fill the void has not brought stability. This continued uncertainty has been reflected in the dressing room’s unrest and the manager’s cautious selections.
What Alternatives Does West Ham United Have in Goalkeeper Recruitment?
Although West Ham rejected the chance to sign Andre Onana, they remain active in searching for goalkeeping reinforcements. After signing Mads Hermansen from Leicester City, the club is reported by CentreDevils and others to be exploring other options, including targets from Hull City and Botafogo, as they aim to strengthen their squad for a competitive Premier League season. The club’s decision to dismiss Onana points to a belief that their existing goalkeepers or potential new signings better fit their strategic needs.
