Samir Handanovic will remain the Inter starter in 2021/2022, but the club is already preparing for the future. He has just a season left on his deal, and he is 36-year-old. He is coming off an up-and-down campaign where he had some major flashes but also some blunders. The Nerazzurri are tracking André Onana, who is in the same situation at Ajax, to substitute him, Calciomercato.com reports.
Inter are putting in their work early to anticipate the competition and sign him next summer. His salary is not particularly high, plus he already has international experience and is in his prime. Finding a new starter in a key role for free has its obvious benefits.
Onana is a Barcelona product and is currently serving a doping-related suspension. He tested positive for Furosemide in February, reportedly as an accident, and will be back on the pitch in November. He has collected 204 appearances with Ajax over the last five seasons, keeping 83 clean sheets and conceding 180 goals. The goalkeeper also has 18 caps with Cameroon and has often been linked to an Arsenal move.
Inter director Piero Ausilio played coy when asked about making an addition to the role yesterday. “We have quality specialists for the present and the future. Filip Stankovic is impressive, and Gabriel Brazao will soon make a name for himself because he is very good.” He did not mention current backup Ionut Radu, who is likely to leave the club this summer. On top of some Serie A sides, he has drawn interest from Real Sociedad, Tuttomercatoweb informs. They have already signed Alex Cordaz for the position.