Arsenal handed huge 'top club' boost in pursuit of £50m midfield star

Premier League runners-up Arsenal have been handed a huge boost in their pursuit of Everton midfielder Amadou Onana after the midfielder revealed he hoped to move to a ‘top club’. The Gunners have been heavily linked with a move for the Toffees star since the January transfer window - who is expected to partner up exceptionally well with Declan Rice.

The 22-year-old has been a key figure for the Goodison Park side since he joined the club from Lille in summer of 2022. The 2023/24 campaign saw him make 37 appearances across all competitions, scoring three times. The Gunners reportedly explored a possible deal for Onana back in the January transfer window where there were plenty of indications of ‘intensive’ talks.

Onana’s agent also revealed back in February that the Belgian star actually rejected a move away from Everton and, as reported by The Standard, Melissa Onana said: “We could have left this winter. But we once against sat down and asked the question whether it’s the right time, if the player is ready.”

However, it seems that with only two weeks to go until the summer transfer window opens up, these talks could re-open in the next few weeks after the Toffees’ transfer plans were outlined. According to reports from HITC, the Belgian star is one of the club’s most valuable assets but they would be willing to part with the defensive midfielder for a fee of more than £50m.

The club do have some financial worries with the uncertainty over a takeover, meaning they could be forced to make sales this summer and as Onana is likely to be one of the most lucrative assets to cash in on, he could be the first to be let go, especially when considering he is still under contract at Everton until 2027.

The reports have also been helped on by the 22-year-old has admitted he wishes to join a ‘top club’ and the Gunners could face competition from the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United and Newcastle who have all been linked with targeting the midfielder.

Speaking to Het Laatste Nieuws, via the Standard, Onana said: “At previous tournaments you have seen that the players who did well make the step up to the top clubs. That’s something I strive for. I feel like presenting myself to the European top and showing what I have to offer. This European Championship is a stage.”