Bayer Leverkusen make first move on Onana as Chelsea wait for Kepa offers — report

Ajax Amsterdam goalkeeper Andre Onana is one of the more logical options to replace or supplement Kepa Arrizabalaga this summer. Unlike most other desirable targets for the position, there are no major hurdles for Chelsea to overcome in his case.

• Jan Oblak would be exorbitantly expensive
• Marc Andre ter Stegen will not be allowed to leave this summer
• Manchester United will not sell Dean Henderson to a domestic rival (especially with David de Gea’s erratic form)
• Gianluigi Donnarumma is set to extend his stay with AC Milan

This leaves Onana.

However, according to De Telegraaf, Chelsea will not make a move for the 24-year-old unless (until) we are able to sell or loan out Kepa.

In the meantime, other suitors are apparently already taking steps forward, such as Bayer Leverkusen submitting a €20m bid. While Ajax rejected that, which gives Chelsea another chance to enter the fray, they are willing to sell for a reasonable €30m and it is expected that Leverkusen will make a second bid, especially if (when?) they collect a princely sum for Kai Havertz.

It’s worth noting that Onana first rose to prominence under current Bayer Leverkusen manager, Peter Bosz, and should presumably have no qualms about linking up with him again. Bosz is not satisfied with his current goalkeeper, Lukáš Hrádecký, and wants to prioritize the signing of a new starter. Along with Chelsea, Barcelona have also been regularly linked with Onana, but they are said to be concentrating their efforts on extending Ter Stegen’s contract.

Chelsea’s move for a new goalkeeper will hinge in large part on our ability to offload Arrizabalaga, which doesn’t seem likely, We thus may be looking for an experienced goalkeeper to compete with Kepa instead.

So, welcome, Ben Foster?