Transfer Centre

Arsenal transfer news: Midfield target reveals desire to play for "top club"

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 31 May 2024

Arsenal, Man Utd-linked midfielder reveals desire to play for

Everton midfielder Amadou Onana reveals his desire to play for a "top club" amid apparent interest from Arsenal and Manchester United.

A Premier League midfielder thought to be on the radar of Arsenal and Manchester United has revealed that he 'strives' to play for a "top club" in the future.

Making a name for himself during his one season with Lille in 2021-22, Amadou Onana arrived at Everton in a £29.9m deal that summer and has gone from strength to strength in the Premier League.

Excelling in a deep midfield position, the Belgium international has conjured up four goals and three assists in 72 games for the Toffees, playing an integral role in helping the club retain their perpetual Premier League status.

The 2023-24 season saw Onana register three goals and set up one more in 37 games, and the Everton man will represent his country at Euro 2024 barring any late injury setbacks.

The Toffees' need to sell off their star assets is not so significant thanks to their top-flight survival, but offers are still expected to be entertained for top players such as Onana, whose contract expires in 2027.

Everton's Amadou Onana celebrates after the match on February 19, 2024 © Reuters

Arsenal, Man United handed huge Onana boost

The 22-year-old turned down the chance to leave Goodison Park midway through the season, but an intense scramble for his services - potentially between as many as four clubs - should materialise this summer.

Arsenal and Man United are believed to be two of the strongest suitors for Onana's services this summer, while Chelsea and Newcastle United have also been linked with the former Hamburger SV midfielder.

The quartet have now been handed significant encouragement in their bid to sign Onana, who when speaking to Het Laatste Nieuws - as quoted by the Evening Standard - outlined his intention to put himself in the shop window with strong Euro 2024 performances.

"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," Onana said. "I feel like presenting myself to the European top and showing what I have to offer. This European Championship is a stage."

Everton are expected to hold out for a fee of around £50m to let the Belgian depart the club this summer, a price tag that their Premier League rivals should have no trouble bowing to.

How could Arsenal, Man Utd line up with Onana?

Everton's Amadou Onana celebrates scoring their first goal on February 19, 2024 © Reuters

It comes as no surprise to learn that Arsenal and Man United are spearheading the charge for Onana, who would surely slot straight into the defensive midfield position at both the Emirates and Old Trafford.

With Declan Rice now occupying a more advanced role in Arsenal's 4-3-3, Onana would play the Thomas Partey/Jorginho role in 2024-25, as Martin Odegaard starts on the right of the trident.

Mikel Arteta has never been one to restrict players to just one position, though, so Onana could very well take up number eight duties on occasion, allowing Rice to mop up as the number six.

Alternatively, the 22-year-old would likely be a straight swap for Casemiro in Man United's system, thereby forming a partnership with Kobbie Mainoo just behind captain Bruno Fernandes.

Onana could also plug the gap in the middle of Man United's defence, having made a handful of appearances at centre-back throughout his career, albeit not since a Champions League loss to Chelsea in March 2022 while playing for Lille.