Trabzonspor president Ertuğrul Doğan has confirmed the Turkish club’s intention to sign goalkeeper André Onana (30) on a permanent transfer from Manchester United following his current season-long loan. While the Cameroon international is under contract at Old Trafford until June 2028, United are understood to be seeking to recoup a significant portion of the £47.2 million initial fee paid to Inter Milan in 2023. Doğan stated that the final decision will rest with the player, whose future in Manchester appears closed following the 2025 arrival of Senne Lammens.
The Financial Hurdles for Trabzonspor
Speaking to Turkish media after Onana’s heroics in the Turkish Cup quarter-final, Doğan admitted that while the club wants the player to stay, the economics of the deal remain complex. In October 2025, Doğan noted it would be "impossible" for Trabzonspor to match the €65 million total package United originally invested, but the stance has softened following Onana's resurgence in the Süper Lig. The Turkish side is currently covering 100% of the goalkeeper's wages, with the player benefitting from Turkey’s 20% flat tax rate compared to the 45% top rate in the UK. United’s valuation is understood to sit between €40 million and €45 million, a figure aimed at easing PSR pressures as the INEOS-led recruitment team plans a summer squad overhaul.
United’s Tactical Shift Under Ruben Amorim
Onana’s departure on loan in September 2025 followed a ruthless reshuffle by Ruben Amorim, who sanctioned the deadline-day signing of Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp. Lammens has since established himself as the undisputed number one at Old Trafford, appearing in 25 Premier League games this season and offering the consistency that Onana lacked during a volatile 2024/25 campaign. The decision to move Onana out was driven by a need to reduce a substantial wage bill and allow the former Ajax man to rebuild his market value. With Lammens settled and United prioritising funds for other positions, a permanent exit for Onana serves the club's broader strategy of pivoting toward younger, more cost-effective talent while adhering to strict financial regulations.
Negotiations are expected to accelerate once the Süper Lig season concludes and Trabzonspor's European qualification status is finalised.