SUMMER DEAL: Arsenal in ‘constant contact’ to sign £61m midfield star, club ready to sell – report

Arsenal are in constant contact with the entourage of Everton midfielder Amadou Onana, according to Het Nieuwsblad (page 19).

The Gunners were interested in landing the Belgium international in January but Everton had no plans to part ways with his services.

However, the scenario is likely to change in the summer and Het Nieuwsblad claim that Arsenal are in regular contact with Onana’s camp.

It is added that Onana is 99 per cent assured of leaving the Toffees even if they avoid relegation from the Premier League this term.

Furthermore, the Toffees are also prepared to cash in on the Belgian for £52-61 million amid their recent financial difficulties.

Onana would be a brilliant acquisition
Onana made the move to the Toffees from Lille last summer. He has since been their stand-out performer with several outstanding midfield displays.

The 21-year-old has won more than six duels and two tackles per Premier League game. He has also been brilliant with his work rate over 90 minutes.

At his age, he still has plenty of room for improvement and would be a superb acquisition for the Gunners.

Onana is capable of playing in different midfield positions but in our view, he is best suited to the defensive midfield role with his strong physical presence.

It remains to be seen whether the Gunners make a renewed approach to sign him this summer.

The club are obviously looking for a new holding midfielder and it has been widely reported that West Ham United’s Declan Rice could be the prime target.

Rice is definitely superior to Onana when it comes to distribution but Onana has a higher ceiling and could be prised away for a much lesser fee this summer.

While Onana could be available for £52-61 million, it has been reported that the Hammers may not part ways with their captain for less than £80 million.