Arsenal and Mikel Arteta are reportedly keen still tracking Everton midfielder Amadou Onana, with the Belgian ‘almost certain’ to leave the Toffees this summer regardless of whether they clinch Premier League survival or not.
The Gunners are targetting midfield as a position in need of major surgery this summer, with Declan Rice set to be their no.1 priority as they look to move on from the ageing Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey.
They are also expected to add another midfield option should they have the chance, and saw three bids for Brighton youngster Moises Caicedo turned down in January, with the Ecuadorian expected to be a target once more this summer.
Everton’s Onana was another that they reportedly had their eye on, with the 21-year-old having impressed since joining the Toffees from Lille in the summer.
However, despite interest both from the Gunners and London rivals Chelsea, Onana opted to stay put so as to help the Toffees avoid relegation, taking to Instagram in the days after the transfer window to tell Everton fans:
“Said what I said and did what I did. #Aintleavingtheship #AO8.”
As per Belgian outlet Het Nieuwsblad, Onana is ‘almost certain’ to leave Merseyside this summer irrespective of whether Sean Dyche’s side manage to avoid relegation, with the Toffees currently out of the relegation zone on goal difference.
Though it promises to be a fight for his signature, the outlet add that Edu and Arteta are in ‘constant contact’ over a potential deal this summer, which could set them back as much as £60m should they follow through on their interest.
