West Ham in Andre Onana transfer twist as David Sullivan personally intervenes
West Ham could have completed a sensational swoop for Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana this summer.
Goalkeepers were high on the priority list at the London Stadium, with West Ham ultimately signing Mads Hermansen from Leicester City.
The Dane got off to a poor start to his Hammers career, but did enjoy a confidence-boosting clean sheet when West Ham beat Nottingham Forest 3-0.
John Victor was another name under consideration for much of the summer, with decision-makers at the London Stadium making two separate attempts to sign him before he moved to Forest.
Now, West Ham have begun talks to re-sign Lukasz Fabianski instead, after Wes Foderingham’s move to Aris Limassol was confirmed.
David Sullivan blocked West Ham move for Andre Onana
Alphonse Areola had been expected to leave West Ham this summer, after failing to impress Graham Potter in pre-season.
And if the Hammers had managed to sign Victor, the Frenchman likely would have been granted a move.
Ultimately, though, Areola was forced to remain at the London Stadium until at least January, with West Ham unwilling to rely on Foderingham in the event of an injury to Hermansen.
But with the former Sheffield United stopper now on the way out, the Hammers have been forced to turn to the free agent market, and Fabianski.
| Andre Onana | Premier League 2024/25 |
| Appearances | 34 |
| Clean sheets | 9 |
| Errors leading to goals | 3 |
Another option had been on the table in the summer, however, it has now emerged. talkSPORT’s Alex Crook reported on Tuesday that West Ham were offered a loan move for Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana.
But after the goalkeeper made two errors in the Red Devils’ embarrassing Carabao Cup defeat to League Two side Grimsby Town, David Sullivan intervened on any potential deal.
Onana is instead close to a loan move to Turkish side Trabzonspor, after Manchester United signed Sene Lammens.
David Sullivan finally gets it right for West Ham
It is not often that West Ham fans can give Sullivan some credit for a decision he has made in the transfer market.
The Hammers ultimately made promising signings in midfield this summer, but left it incredibly late.
In the case of Onana, however, Sullivan has undoubtedly made the right call. The 29-year-old’s signing has been an unmitigated calamity at Old Trafford, and there is little to suggest a move to West Ham would have produced anything different.
Sign up for the West Ham Zone WhatsApp channel and turn on notifications to have all the latest, breaking West Ham United news sent straight to your phone.