LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 01: Andre Onana of Ajax looks on during the UEFA Champions League Group D stage match between Liverpool FC and Ajax Amsterdam at Anfield on December 01, 2020 in Liverpool, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
According to SportsMail (h/t Daily Mail), Tottenham were credited with interest in Andre Onana previously but any move failed to materialise. The Ajax shot-stopper is hoping to secure a move to the Premier League next summer. Onana, who was valued at around £40million, was also on Chelsea’s radar before they signed Edouard Mendy.
Onana, 24, started at the Samuel Eto’o Academy in Cameroon and joined Barcelona’s La Masia Academy in 2010. He rose rapidly through the ranks in Catalonia but moved to Ajax in January 2015 in search of first-team chances.
He joined Ajax’s U21 initially before becoming a first-team regular in the 2016/17 season. Since then, he has been part of an exciting Ajax side in recent seasons and has accumulated 193 appearances for the club, managing to keep 80 clean sheets in the process.
He was in exceptional form in 2018/19 that saw Ajax emerge as Eredivisie champions after managing 16 clean sheets from 33 league appearances. Onana also grabbed the spotlight after his standout displays in goal saw Ajax reach the last four of the Champions League in 2019. A full international for Cameroon, Onana has made 17 appearances for them, keeping 9 clean sheets.
Since 2012, Hugo Lloris has stood between the sticks for Spurs for more than 8 seasons and it’s safe to say he has done a good job. Amassing close to 350 games for the club, the French custodian has seen it all, with a Champions League final medal to boast of. While trophies have been hard to come by, Lloris has been ever present for the team.
Now 33, Lloris may still have a few years in the tank but Tottenham need to start planning for the future. Over the last few seasons, a lot of young shot-stoppers have emerged in Europe. But one of them who has proven to be up to the task is Andre Onana of Ajax.
The Cameroonian has been a regular for four seasons in a row and has immense experience despite being just 24. He was a key member of the squad that reached the Champions League semi-finals in 2019 and also helped his side to the Dutch league title.
He was in fine form last term, managing 15 clean sheets in 39 games across all competitions and conceding just 37 goals – less than one goal per game. He can be trusted to take over from Lloris when the time comes.
