I'm happy we sold Onana to Man Utd - Inter Milan sporting director

Inter Milan sporting director Piero Ausilio has opened up about the transfers he is most proud of, the ones that got away, and a surprising off-field complication that nearly derailed a crucial deal.

Onana joined Manchester United from Inter Milan in July 2023 and changed the style of his predecessor, David de Gea, who was more of a traditional shot-stopper.

In an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, Inter's sporting director Ausilio, who has been with the club since 1998 and held his current role for over a decade, discussed Onana's transfer to United.

He highlighted several standout transfers during his tenure, including Mateo Kovačić, Marcelo Brozović, and goalkeeper André Onana, signed for free and sold to Manchester United for €55 million just a year later.

He said, “The transfers I am proudest of are Mateo Kovacic and Marcelo Brozovic, who we chose when Marco Branca was working with us. Plus Onana, who we signed for free and then sold for €55m a year later. Of course, then Lautaro Martinez, Yann Bisseck, Marcus Thuram…”

The Inter chief admitted to missing out on Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who later became a star at Napoli and moved to Paris Saint-Germain.

“Kvaratskhelia was offered to many big Italian clubs, but our 3-5-2 system didn’t suit him. I always respect the coach’s tactical ideas,” Ausilio explained.

However, Andre Onana is targeting Manchester United's Premier League opener against Arsenal on August 17 at Old Trafford for his return from a hamstring injury.

The injury, sustained in training before the pre-season tour of the United States, has prevented him from appearing in any of United's summer friendlies.