Amadou Onana price set as Arsenal make transfer contact with Everton

Arsenal have enquired about the availability of Amadou Onana.

Mikel Arteta has long-admired the Everton central midfielder, who has repeatedly been linked to a move to the Gunners.

Now the club has sought to act on that interest by contacting Everton over the Belgium international. The ECHO understands the Blues would be seeking at least £50m.

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Contact was made on a busy opening day of the summer transfer window for Everton.

Roma owner Daniel Friedkin emerged as the frontrunner in the battle for ownership of the Blues, hours after Everton officially announced a new deal for club captain Seamus Coleman and unveiled Castore as its new kit provider.

Premier League rivals also kickstarted the window by moving for some of the club’s biggest stars. Manchester United submitted a bid in the region of £35m for Jarrad Branthwaite, an offer the club was set to reject after deeming it unacceptable.

As the Old Trafford side digested that response, Arsenal also made contact about Onana. The midfielder has been open about his ambition and a transfer has been on the cards with several clubs - including Newcastle United, Manchester United, Barcelona and Bayern Munich - linked with interest.

Arsenal have been keen followers of Onana for some time, however. The 22-year-old impressed in the 1-0 win at Goodison Park in February 2023 - delivering arguably his best performance in Royal Blue. His display was so emphatic he was a major topic of conversation within the Arsenal dressing room after the final whistle. Onana also impressed in the narrow defeat at the Emirates on the final day of last season.

While his talent is valued at Everton he has not been at the heart of the plans of Sean Dyche. He was left on the bench for each of the games in the week that redefined Everton’s season when wins over Nottingham Forest, Liverpool and Brentford secured safety.

Should Arsenal follow up contact with a bid before the end of the month then it could damage Manchester United’s pursuit of Branthwaite. The sale of a player before the end of the football financial year would strengthen Everton’s hopes of complying with Premier league Profit and Sustainability Regulations for the first time in three years and therefore avoiding a third points deduction. If that was to be Onana then it would help Everton’s ability to withstand efforts to prise Branthwaite from the club for a fee below his true value.