André Onana returned on the pitch yesterday against Besiktas after a doping-related ban. The goalkeeper is one step away from joining Inter as a free agent next summer. The Nerazzurri could officially seal the Bosman move in January.
Onana suggested he is on his way out in his post-game remarks to RTL7: “When you open a door, at some point you have to close it. Maybe it is time for me to go. I have done my best for this club and accomplished everything I could. We have won a lot together. When I see the pictures of the Europa League final in 2017, I think I am the last one still here. That was a really great season.”
Onana continued: “It is nice to resume playing after what happened, and now I can look forward. I am happy to be here in this position now, but it was not easy. I want to put this situation behind me and move on. We will see what happens in the future.”
The goalkeeper was originally suspended for 12 months in February for taking an illegal medicine. He won a partial appeal to have it reduced to nine months. He returned to the squad list on November 7th but had not featured yet.
Onana will earn €3M per year at Inter, La Gazzetta dello Sport reports. It is not sure yet whether the Nerazzurri will keep both him and Samir Handanovic at first. The 37-year-old captain is on an expiring contract as well.