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Arsenal in ‘intensive’ talks to sign Everton star Onana

By Ritayan Chatterjee on January 8, 2024

Arsenal are reportedly in ‘intensive’ talks to sign Everton star Amadou Onana in this winter window, as per the transfer journalist Sacha Tavolieri.

It has widely been suggested that Mikel Arteta is keen on signing a new midfielder as a potential replacement for Thomas Partey – who has been struggling with fitness issues over the last few years.

Several players have been mentioned as potential targets for the North London club with Douglas Luiz being suggested as the primary option. However, it has been reported that Aston Villa – who are in the title race this term – don’t want to lose their star man in mid-season so they are desperate to keep hold of the Brazilian to continue their title charge.

So, Arsenal have seemingly opted to shift their focus to alternative targets with Onana now emerging as a serious option. As per Tavolieri(via Football London), Arsenal are in ‘intensive’ negotiations with Everton to sign Onana this month.

The report further claims that Everton are open to cashing-in on their star man amid their financial difficulties if they receive an offer of around £50m from the player’s potential suitors such as the Gunners.

Onana to Arsenal

However, the journalist says that Manchester United have also been contemplating a swoop for the midfielder this month so Arsenal are set to face tough competition from the Red Devils in getting any potential deal done for the Belgian international.

After selling Granit Xhaka last summer, Arteta has struggled to establish a stable midfield trio in the first half of this season. The Spanish boss may have planned to use Partey in the holding midfield position, pushing Declan Rice in the box-to-box with Martin Odegaard in the number ten position.

However, Partey’s injury has seemingly forced Arteta to change his plan. Kai Havertz, Fabio Vieira and Leandro Trossard have been deployed in the engine room this term. However, none of them have managed to secure their place in Arteta’s starting eleven.

So, I think signing a new midfielder as a potential replacement for injury striken, Partey would be the right decision and Onana, standing at 6ft 4in tall, could be a shrewd signing as he has already showcased glimpses of his qualities in the Premier League in recent times.

However, it is going to be interesting to see whether Arsenal can eventually purchase Onana from Everton in this winter window to bolster their engine room.