Manchester United have now landed a possibly huge boost to Erik ten Hag’s interest in the transfer of Amadou Onana with Everton considering selling the Belgium midfielder.
That is according to iNews, which reports that the feeling inside Everton is that Onana would be the most vulnerable player to a bid if they must offload another star player. Toffees chiefs continue to work in fear of Financial Fair Play (FFP) restrictions owing to their poor finances.
The Premier League referred Everton to an independent commission in March for an alleged breach of FFP rules in 2021/22. But the commission is still yet to confirm any charge or issue a penalty. So, the Toffees are walking a very thin tightrope that could see another star leave.
FFP could force Everton to sell Manchester United target Amadou Onana
Resources are threadbare at Goodison Park this summer, despite Everton expecting to boast new investment soon. So, any moves that manager Sean Dyche strives to secure will have to be carefully structured. He and director of football Kevin Thelwell are even eying free agents.
So, to also comply with FFP rules with fears ongoing on Merseyside, expectations of Everton having to sell another star player are growing. The Toffees bid farewell to Anthony Gordon in January as Newcastle United signed their academy product for £40m, plus £5m in add-ons.
And to the potential benefit of Manchester United and manager Ten Hag, the main name on Everton’s chopping block if the Toffees have to eye an important transfer would be Onana. It is felt the 21-year-old is the most likely man to make way with a handful of teams interested.
Arsenal and Chelsea both retain an interest in the Belgium midfielder
Arsenal and Chelsea both retain an interest in the Belgium midfielder’s signature as Everton now consider selling him. While TEAMtalk also reported in May that Manchester United are plotting a transfer as Onana impressed Ten Hag during his debut season at Everton in 22/23.
LOSC Lille sold the midfielder to the Toffees last August for £33m as Frank Lampard handed him a five-year contract. Onana went on to start in 29 of his 33 Premier League outings. He was also Everton’s best player in an array of games, including against Arsenal this February.
Dyche beat the Gunners 1-0 in his first match as Lampard’s successor, during which Darren Bent hailed Onana as ‘outstanding’ on Twitter. The Belgian would boss his battle with Martin Odegaard in the engine room. But his form through the 22/23 term raised his market value.
According to Sacha Tavolieri, Everton would want £55m to now let Onana leave with Chelsea advancing their interest. The journalist claimed earlier this June that the Blues are showing a strong appetite for his services. He also added that Onana is open to leaving Goodison Park.
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