ARSENAL are closing in on the signing of Ajax keeper Andre Onana… despite the player’s doping ban.
The 24-year-old was handed a 12-month suspension in February after the banned substance Furosemide was found in his urine.
In a statement, Ajax claimed Onana had accidentally taken one of his wife’s pills while feeling unwell.
Onana confirmed he believed the medication to be a ‘simple aspirin’.
Ajax and the player have appealed the decision which could play a big role in his final transfer fee.
According to Dutch publication NOS, Arsenal will be able to land him for a bargain £1.7million fee if his ban is upheld.
If his suspension is shortened or overturned, then the Gunners will be forced to fork out £7.75m.
Either way, the report adds how Arsenal are closing in on his signing and the deal is ‘imminent.’
Onana only has one year left on his contract with the Dutch giants and it appears he won’t be signing an extension.
Boss Mikel Arteta wants a back-up keeper to challenge Bernd Leno between the sticks.
Australian international Mat Ryan joined Arsenal on loan from Brighton in January but is set to head back to his parent club.
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Onana will learn this month whether his appeal was successful.
Stating his case to Uefa, the keeper described his failed drug test as a ‘human mistake’, adding the ban imposed upon him was ‘excessive and disproportionate’.
Onana went on to say he is ‘strongly against doping and unsportsmanlike conduct’ and vowed to clear his name.
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