Amadou Onana is likely to leave Everton this summer amid the collapse of their 777 takeover, with Arsenal reportedly in the race.
Mark Douglas reports for i news that of all Everton’s potential major departures this summer, Amadou Onana looks the most likely to move on.
Douglas adds that Arsenal, Newcastle United, and Manchester United have all been credited with an interest in Onana ahead of the upcoming transfer window.
Everton look likely to need to make some sales this summer, with their proposed takeover by 777 Partners officially falling through on Saturday morning.
The club confirmed that the agreement for the sale of the majority shareholding in the club expired on June 1st.
The Blues were already in financial difficulty with the Premier League, charged twice for Profit and Sustainability Rule breaches.
The PSR system operates over a three-year period, so it’s likely Everton will be in trouble again in 2024/25 unless they can make a major sale or two.
Onana’s agent and sister Melissa confirmed earlier this year that a January move was briefly on the cards for the Everton midfielder.
“We could have left this winter, but we once again sat down and asked the question whether it’s the right time, if the player is ready,” Melissa Onana said.
“My job is to put opportunities on the table. In the end, he’s the one who makes the choice because it’s his life and his career.
“I put the opportunities on the table and he said ‘No, I want to stay at Everton and I want to continue to fight’.”
Belgian football journalist Pieter-Jan Calcoen of Nieuwsblad Sport had reported in January that Arsenal were in contact with Onana’s camp, as well as his club Everton.
But the suggestion was always that the Gunners would have to sell before they could make a significant move for the midfielder.
With Everton now having avoided relegation, the club in need of a sale, and Arsenal in a new financial year with money to spend, perhaps we could see the move revived.
In the meantime, Onana is preparing to play for Belgium at Euro 2024.