Andre Onana open to Barcelona return

by Graeme Jackson

Thursday May 09, 2019. 09:00

AFC Ajax and Cameroon goalkeeper Andre Onana says he is open to the idea of a return to Barcelona, but insists that having regular playing time is a vital consideration.

Onana, who has been one of the stars of Ajax’s incredible UEFA Champions League run, was on the books of Barcelona’s youth system before heading to Amsterdam in 2015.

The goalkeeper was spotted by the La Liga giants when he was at the Samuel Eto’o Foundation, an academy founded by the former Barcelona star striker.

The 23-year-old is being linked with a move to the Spanish champions as a replacement for unsettled former Ajax goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen.

"Barcelona is my home,” said Onana when asked about the potential for a return to the Catalan club.

"When I go there all the doors are open. It's normal, I was there since very young.

"Everyone would like me to go to Barca but for me it's important to have playing time."

Aside from being a key man for Ajax in their brilliant 2018/19 campaign, Onana is also expected to feature for Cameroon at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, which kicks off next month in Egypt.