Arsenal are actively seeking to strengthen their midfield under Mikel Arteta’s leadership. Despite having a robust lineup, the potential departure of Emile Smith Rowe this summer necessitates new additions in the central midfield area.
The club seems particularly interested in acquiring a new No6, as Declan Rice’s performance in a more advanced role last season highlighted the need for reinforcement in the deeper midfield position.
One prominent name linked with a move to Arsenal is Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad. However, convincing Zubimendi to leave his current club might prove challenging. Another player who has been on Arsenal’s radar is Everton’s Amadou Onana.
While Arsenal were considered the favorites to sign Onana last month, discussions around this potential transfer have recently quieted down. This could be attributed to Everton’s high valuation of the player, with journalist Patrick Boyland reporting that Everton demands more than £50 million for the midfielder.
In a recent Q&A session on The Athletic, Boyland discussed Onana’s future, mentioning that although Bayern Munich showed interest, their pursuit of Joao Palhinha seems to have closed that option. There has also been interest from other English and European clubs, but none have made a significant move. Boyland noted that Everton is likely to let Onana go if their valuation is met.
Onana, who joined Everton in the summer of 2022, has made a strong impression and it’s unsurprising that top clubs like Arsenal and Bayern are interested in him.
Known for his outstanding performances, Onana has expressed his ambition to compete at the highest level in Europe. Given Everton’s recent struggles with relegation under Sean Dyche, this ambition seems unlikely to be fulfilled at Goodison Park.
Looking ahead to Euro 2024, Onana sees the tournament as a crucial opportunity to display his abilities on a grand stage. He has remarked on the importance of performing well at major tournaments, as it often leads to moves to top clubs. “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 stated. “I feel like presenting myself to the European top and showing what I have to offer. This European Championship is a stage.”
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