“It didn’t work”- Ajax official hands boost to Chelsea in pursuit of 25-year-old African ace

Transfer News: Chelsea get boost in chase for goalkeeper Andre Onana

According to transfer news from vi.nl (h/t The Sun), Chelsea have received a bit of a boost in their chase for Andre Onana. Ajax’s Director of Football, Marc Overmars has ruled out a contract extension for the 25-year-old Cameroonian, whose contract runs out next year.

Andre Onana has actually a youth product of Barcelona and developed his talents at the famed La Masia. However, a search for first-team football at a time when Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Claudio Bravo were sharing duties, led the youngster to move towards Ajax. Over the next few years, he would keep up his development.

Slowly he became one of the best emerging talents in Europe between the sticks. In 2019, he was a part of the Ajax side that made it all the way to the Champions League semi-final and Onana played a huge part in the run. However, Ajax are now in a spot with Onana’s contract and it has attracted the attention of clubs like Chelsea and Arsenal.

Now, Chelsea have received a boost in their chase for Onana. Ajax Director of Football Marc Overmars confirmed that the club are no longer pursuing a new contract for the keeper despite his current deal ending in less than a year.

“We tried, but it didn’t work. You make choices and then it has to come from both sides. We didn’t feel like he really wanted to. I read somewhere that we pulled the plug and that’s right. We do that for a reason.”

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It’s rather puzzling to learn of Chelsea’s interest in Onana. The Blues have two capable keepers in Edouard Mendy and Kepa. Unless Kepa, who is the second choice, leaves, there is no logical reason to go after Onana in any capacity. Granted that he will likely be a free signing if he doesn’t renew his deal but having three top-quality keepers might not be the sort of competition that’s needed.