Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal have received a boost in their quest to sign Amadou Onana from Sean Dyche’s Everton.
That is according to journalist Ben Jacobs, who has reported that Onana is open to a move to Arsenal in the January transfer window.
So, what has been reported about Arsenal target Amadou Onana? Let’s take a look.
Everton midfielder Amadou Onana open to Arsenal move in January
Well, according to journalist Ben Jacobs, Everton defensive midfielder Amadou Onana is open to a move to Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal in the January transfer window.
Jacobs has noted that Everton do not want to sell Onana, claiming that the Toffees would want at least £50 million for a player they signed for £33 million.
The reporter has claimed neither Manchester United nor Arsenal are able to pay that kind of fee, although Onana’s desire to move to the Emirates Stadium in the middle of the season is a potential boost to the Gunners’ chances.
Football Transfers reported last week that Onana is a major target for United, but a deal was unlikely to materialise until the summer of 2024.
The Daily Mail reported last month interest in the 22-year-old from Arsenal. The Belgium international defensive midfielder has previously been compared to Gunners legend Patrick Vieira.
Jacobs told GiveMeSport: “Everton want to keep hold of Amadou Onana, and if they are to change that stance they would expect £50million or more. Let’s not forget that Everton paid Lille £33million.
“We have seen links with Manchester United and Arsenal, but nothing is advanced and both sides would be unable to proceed in January at that kind of price even if they wanted to.
“The idea that Everton will offer a cut-price deal, due to their financial situation, is inaccurate to my understanding. It might be different in the summer, but Onana is not a player Everton want – or plan – to lose mid-season.
“Onana is open to Arsenal in particular, but I am not aware of anything progressing at this stage.”
Amadou Onana stance potential boost for Arsenal
In my opinion, Amadou Onana’s desire to join Arsenal is a potential boost to the Gunners’ chances of signing the Everton defensive midfielder.
Yes, I understand that a January transfer is unlikely. After all, Everton are in danger of getting relegated to the Championship at the end of the season, and the Toffees will surely not want to lose the midfielder in the middle of the campaign.
However, Onana’s desire to move to Arsenal could help the North London club in potential negotiations for him in the summer of 2024.
Meanwhile, talkSPORT journalist Alex Crook has said that there is interest in Arsenal attacking midfielder Emile Smith Rowe from Aston Villa.
Crook told GiveMeSport: “Arsenal might have to move a couple of players out to get players in. There’s interest in Mohamed Elneny from Turkey and Saudi Arabia, and they’d cash in on Thomas Partey if they could, given his injury record and the fact he’s on good wages.
“I’m keen to see what they do with Smith Rowe because I think Aston Villa’s interest is still there.
“We know that Arsenal like Douglas Luiz, but Villa aren’t going to let him go at this moment in time because they’re competing for the top four themselves.”