Everton midfielder Amadou Onana has long been linked with a move away from the Toffees, just two years after joining the club. The 22-year-old has shown promising signs in the Premier League, despite the club struggling in the lower half of the table.
Arsenal and Manchester United are among the teams linked with a move, with Aston Villa also mentioned. Interest is high in Onana, who is currently representing Belgium at Euro 2024.
The Gunners’ priority this summer is shaping the midfield, football.london understands, despite the addition of £105million star Declan Rice last summer. Onana has been discussed as a potential recruit to star alongside the England midfielder and club captain Martin Odegaard.
But what role would he take? Mikel Arteta likes to have two No.8s alongside his No.6 at the base of midfield, with Odegaard and Kai Havertz featuring as the two more attacking players early in the season. However, with Havertz pushing into attack in the second half of the campaign, it was regularly Jorginho who featured as the defensive-minded midfielder, with Rice seen as a box-to-box role.
Should Arteta wish to sign a new star to play in either a No.6 or No.8 role, Onana could be just the man to do so according to his former Everton teammate Andros Townsend. Townsend spent last season at Luton Town, and is working for ITV as a co-commentator at the European Championships this summer.
When asked about where Onana’s future lies in midfield, Townsend said that while he can play in a defensive role or even behind the striker, the box-to-box role suits him more.
He can play No.6, he can play No.10, but I just think box-to-box role, he’s got the engine, he’s got the legs,” Townsend said on ITV. “He can drive with the ball, he can play cute passes.
“I think that’s where he’ll end up, in a sort of No.8 box-to-box midfield role.”
If the Gunners do want to make a move, they could be required to pay at least £50million for Onana according to reports. Whether that is a realistic amount remains to be seen.
