Reports emerging from Spanish outlet Sport suggest that Premier League rivals Arsenal and Chelsea have both thrown their hats into the ring in the race to secure the services of Everton midfielder Amadou Onana.
The talented Belgian has been catching the eye with his performances for the Toffees and could be on the move this summer in search of silverware at a bigger club.
According to the report, both London clubs have approached Everton to inquire about Onana’s availability. However, they face competition from Spanish giants Barcelona, who are also keen on bringing the former Lille player to Camp Nou.
Despite the interest from Barcelona, there are doubts over their ability to meet Everton’s valuation of £51 million for Onana. It’s understood that the Catalan club is only willing to go as high as £34 million for the 22-year-old, raising questions about whether they can strike a deal with the Merseyside club.
While Chelsea’s interest in Onana may come as a surprise given their depth in midfield, Arsenal’s pursuit could be more understandable. With concerns over Thomas Partey’s injury record and uncertainties surrounding the futures of Mohamed Elneny, Jorginho, and Albert Sambi Lokonga, the Gunners may see Onana as a viable option to bolster their midfield ranks.
Chelsea already boasts a plethora of midfield options, with the likes of Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez, Romeo Lavia, and Lesley Ugochukwu providing ample cover in the holding midfield role. Additionally, Conor Gallagher’s loan spell at Crystal Palace has highlighted his potential to contribute to the first team upon his return.
In contrast, Arsenal’s midfield could benefit from reinforcements, and the potential signing of Onana could address some of the squad’s deficiencies in that area. With the summer transfer window approaching, it remains to be seen which club will ultimately secure the services of the highly-rated Everton midfielder.