Arsenal eye midfield transformation as Mikel Arteta given Amadou Onana transfer boost

Since the January transfer window was a quiet one for everyone involved with Arsenal, fans will hope for a busier summer window. One person in particular who will hope for more is Mikel Arteta, who complained about having a "thin squad" without the ability to fix it by bolstering with signings.

As we are now in the second month of the year, it's no surprise that names are beginning to crop up. Mikel Arteta is a manager who likes to have multiple plans, so things don't get bottoms-up if his plan A doesn't work. If today's news is anything to go by, the Spanish boss has located his plan A.

Arsenal eye midfield transformation as Mikel Arteta given Amadou Onana transfer boost

According to an early claim by Football Insider, Arsenal will aim to achieve a midfield "transformation" in the summer transfer window. Likely, this is to bring in at least one more face to push forward with the Declan Rice project.

Amadou Onana was named as a big contender to join Emirates Stadium in the summer. Indeed, Everton could do with any financial boost possible, since FFP will continue breathe down their necks. From their perspective, while they won't want to lose Amadou Onana, the midfielder is likely their most profitable asset.

And I must say, from Arsenal's perspective, this deal makes complete sense. Onana is a player who won't take long to fit into Mikel Arteta's system since he is adaptable, and gets the basics right every single time. While he is a deep-lying midfielder, there's nothing stopping Arteta from moulding his play style, just like he has done excellently with Declan Rice and Granit Xhaka in the past.

The Belgian international is set to cost Arsenal £50m-£60m, probably the higher end of this scale. However, the Gunners should have the money to spend in the summer as they banked their funds in January and, of course, could raise some more with player sales in the summer.

It is important to stress that Amadou Onana is not the only option Arsenal have to bolster their midfield ranks. It certainly seems that Mikel Arteta aims to bring in a new midfielder in the summer, Onana has simply emerged as a candidate to fill this role. He's certainly a stellar option, and one I don't think any Arsenal fans would turn their nose up at.

Could you picture Amadou Onana in an Arsenal shirt next season?