%20rotate(-8.06)%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22336.19%20136.81%20330.16%2094.25%20326.06%2071.19%20326.44%2071.13%20335.22%2093.54%20352.29%20134.52%20373.95%20131.46%20362.7%2052.01%20350.02%2053.8%20356.05%2096.36%20360.15%20119.42%20359.77%20119.48%20350.99%2097.08%20333.91%2056.09%20312.25%2059.15%20323.51%20138.6%20336.19%20136.81%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22402.91%2059.3%20412.36%20126.02%20427.17%20123.92%20417.72%2057.21%20431.59%2055.24%20429.79%2042.51%20387.23%2048.53%20389.04%2061.27%20402.91%2059.3%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22463.51%20118.77%20458.69%2084.71%20474.68%2082.44%20479.51%20116.5%20494.36%20114.4%20483.11%2034.95%20468.26%2037.06%20472.96%2070.25%20456.96%2072.52%20452.26%2039.32%20437.4%2041.43%20448.65%20120.88%20463.51%20118.77%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22540.5%20107.87%20538.77%2095.68%20518.91%2098.49%20515.77%2076.29%20535.63%2073.47%20533.93%2061.5%20514.07%2064.32%20511.11%2043.42%20530.98%2040.61%20529.25%2028.42%20494.53%2033.34%20505.78%20112.78%20540.5%20107.87%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22299.03%20155.17%20301.29%20171.58%20542.78%20138.39%20540.5%20121.97%20299.03%20155.17%22%2F%3E%0A%3C%2Fsvg%3E)
Arsenal to miss out on £50m-rated midfield transfer target
- Amadou Onana is heading to Aston Villa in £50m deal
- Arsenal linked with Onana in January and still need midfielder
- Mikel Merino emerging as an option for the Gunners this summer
A potential midfield transfer target for Arsenal this summer is off the board with Aston Villa closing in on the signing of Amadou Onana.
While links to the Belgian have been far and few between in recent weeks, Arsenal did hold an interest in January and the Everton midfielder was regarded as someone the club could target this summer.
There was unlikely to be any movement at the start of the window with Onana representing Belgium at Euro 2024, but with the Red Devils exiting in the round of 16, Aston Villa have quickly swooped.
🚨 EXCLUSIVE: Aston Villa in process of finalising agreement with Everton to sign Amadou Onana. Deal worth ~£50m & personal terms in place on long-term contract. 22yo #EFC midfielder targeted by Unai Emery + keen to play for Spaniard & #AVFC @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/FsES59q1L2
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) July 13, 2024
The Athletic's David Ornstein reported on Saturday morning that Villa are 'finalising' an agreement with Everton for the 22-year-old midfielder. The Villans, who have been incredibly busy at the start of the summer window having secured Champions League football for next season, are set to send £50m Everton's way.
Personal terms have already been agreed, and it seems as if Onana will be a Villan very soon.
Given that Arsenal hardly made an effort o move for Onana means we can't be too disappointed, although the Belgian international boasts a profile that would've complemented Mikel Arteta's midfield. Onana is a versatile midfield operator who masterfully used his long uses to make standout recovery challenges. He's clean in possession and is a physical phenomenon who also boasts a distinct threat from set-pieces.
In short, he could've given Arteta the extra details he craves.
Arsenal are yet to make headway in their pursuit of a midfield, although it's believed the club will dedicate plenty of time in finding the ideal profile. There are plenty of options, and Real Sociedad's Mikel Merino is a name that's starting to crop up more frequently in transfer rumour mills.
Available for a bargain price and someone capable of replicating the role Granit Xhaka performed so superbly in 2022/23, he could emerge as the club's priority target once he returns from the Euros. Given that they recently negotiated Kieran Tierney's loan, Arsenal should have a friendly relationship with Sociedad should they opt to pursue Merino.
READ THE LATEST ARSENAL NEWS HERE!
feed