Andre Onana’s chances of joining Arsenal this summer have increased after his doping ban was reduced from 12 to nine moths.
The 25-year-old was suspended in February after he failed an out-of-competition test for a banned substance the previous October.
Onana has been unable to train with his Ajax teammates since the ruling, but he will now be able to play competitively again as of November after a Court of Arbitration for Sport appeal was heard on Thursday.
The Cameroon international has been heavily linked with a summer move to Arsenal and the Gunners are now likely to press ahead with plans to sign the talented goalkeeper, who could be available for as little as £7million.
Onana will be permitted to train again from September, before which Arsenal are likely to make a decision on the future of current No.1 Bernd Leno.
The Germany international retained his place as the club’s first choice goalkeeper last season after Mikel Arteta made the decision to sanction the sale of Emiliano Martinez to Aston Villa.
Leno, however, endured a difficult campaign, committing a number of high-profile errors and only kept his place on account of there not being a credible challenger for his spot in the team.
Runar Alex Runarsson joined last summer from Dijon but failed to impress in the Europa League and Carabao Cup, while January loan recruit Mat Ryan made only three first team appearances.
Leno has publicly stated he is content at Arsenal, but reports claim he is ready to seek a new challenge in light of the Gunners’ failure to qualify for European competition.
The former Bayer Leverkusen star has two years remaining on his current deal and Arsenal would hope to recoup somewhere near the £22.5m they paid for him in the summer of 2018.
MORE : Arsenal keeping tabs on striker highly-rated by Edu with £70m release clause
MORE : Arsenal keeping tabs on striker highly-rated by Edu with £70m release clause
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