Arsenal 'bargain deal' transfer claim made on £50m man

Speculation has once again arisen around Arsenal's interest in Everton's Amadou Onana with one journalist suggesting that the Gunners could sign the 22-year-old on a 'bargain deal' if the Toffees are relegated.

Journalist Ben Jacobs confirmed that despite the intense speculation, Arsenal did not bid for the Belgian international despite having "genuine admiration" for the him. It is then proposed that Mikel Arteta's club could well make an approach for the defensive midfielder at the end of the season.

Born in Senegal, Onana came to Everton in 2022. He has previously enjoyed stints at 1899 Hoffenheim, Hamburger SV and Lille where he impressed the current Premier League side to the extent that he signed a five-year contract for a reported £33 million including add-ons.

The 22-year-old moved from Dakar to Brussels at the age of 11 and has since represented the Belgian international sides from Under 17 level, making nine senior appearances.

Everton are thought to be remaining form on their £50million valuation of Onana but a deal with the Gunners "may be possible" if they drop out of the Premier League. Relegation is still a distinct possibility for Sean Dyche's side following their points deduction for breaking Financial Fair Play rules and the Merseyside club currently sit 18th in the Premier League, having lost two and drawn three of their most recent fixtures.

If this is to be the case, it is likely Onana along with Jarrad Branthwaite and Jordan Pickford will be the first to depart the club with the hope of staying within top-tier football

Arsenal, on the other, currently sit in third place following a triumphant 3-1 victory over league leaders Liverpool on Sunday. They had an exceptionally quiet January, only bringing back in Marquinhos, Mika Biereth and Nathan Butler-Oyedeji ending their respective loans at Nantes, Motherwell and Cheltenham Town.