Manchester United’s Andre Onana agrees loan move to Trabzonspor
Andre Onana has agreed to a season-long loan move back to Trabzonspor, with the deal expected to be announced within the next 24 hours. The goalkeeper signed the necessary paperwork on Thursday afternoon, finalising his return to the Turkish Super Lig side.
Manchester United and Trabzonspor reached an agreement for Onana’s transfer last week. The move comes after Onana returned from a holiday following a friend’s wedding.
Loan Terms and Financials
Manchester United could receive a fee of up to €1.5 million from the Turkish club for Onana. This fee is contingent on certain bonuses being met, such as Trabzonspor winning the domestic league or qualifying for the Champions League.
Trabzonspor will cover a portion of Onana’s wages, which are reported to be £120,000-a-week. United are hopeful that if some of the bonus clauses are activated, the deal could eventually lead to full wage coverage for the season. The agreement is a straight loan and does not include an option or obligation for Trabzonspor to buy Onana permanently.
This arrangement means Onana will return to Old Trafford next summer, with one year remaining on his contract. He joined Manchester United from Inter Milan in 2023.
Onana’s Previous Spell and Future at United
The 30-year-old goalkeeper previously had a successful loan spell at Trabzonspor last season. During that time, he helped the team secure victory in the domestic cup and qualify for the Europa League.
Despite his desire to return to United and compete for a place in the team this season, Onana was informed by the club that he would not be able to displace first-choice goalkeeper Senne Lammens. Furthermore, United reportedly viewed him as unsuitable for a number two role due to his salary.
Given the situation, Onana’s priority was to rejoin a club where he had previously found success and was welcomed. His previous season at Trabzonspor included 33 appearances across all competitions, a Turkish Cup winner’s medal, and a contribution to a third-place finish in the Super Lig, which secured Europa League playoff qualification.
Implications for Manchester United
The terms of the loan deal, particularly the absence of a buy option and the partial wage coverage, highlight United’s limited leverage in the current transfer market. The club had initially sought a permanent transfer for Onana, aiming for a fee closer to their reported £30 million asking price and full wage coverage.
The fact that Trabzonspor, despite Onana’s successful previous loan, did not include a buy option suggests that no alternative buyers were willing to engage on better terms. This situation means United will still own Onana next summer, with a portion of his contract still to be funded, without generating any transfer income from this arrangement.
The partial wage coverage also means United are effectively subsidising a player who will not be part of Michael Carrick’s squad. This is a significant concession for a club operating under PSR constraints and actively working to reduce its wage bill.
The loan does free up a squad place and reduces, though does not eliminate, the wage liability. This is relevant as Carrick looks to bring in reinforcements before the transfer window closes. The goalkeeping situation beyond Lammens remains to be fully resolved, with Altay Bayindir expected to return to Turkey and Radek Vítek’s future unclear, though a loan exit is considered likely.
United will need to secure a credible backup for Lammens. The partial wage savings from Onana’s departure, combined with the exits of Casemiro for Major League Soccer and Jadon Sancho, are intended to create room for such moves. The immediate next steps involve formal registration with the Turkish Football Federation and confirmation of the exact wage-split arrangement once Trabzonspor makes its announcement.
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Source: manchestereveningnews.co.uk
As News GB's Senior Football Correspondent, Lewis Hartnell reports on the Premier League, the EFL and the England national side for readers across the country. He reported on south-coast football for a regional title. He holds a degree in Sports Journalism from Solent University and completed an NCTJ diploma. Lewis lives in Southampton, where he watches youth football and follows the transfer market. “The week's training ground decides the weekend's headlines.”
