Arsenal negotiations are 'ongoing' for £45m-rated Premier League star

Arsenal are reportedly in ‘negotiations’ to sign Everton star midfielder Amadou Onana this summer. The Gunners have long been admirers of he 6ft 5in defensive midfielder and have been hopeful of luring him away from Goodison Park this summer.

The Emirates club’s hunt for a new striker have cooled in recent weeks, with Benjamin Sesko signing a contract extension to remain at RB Leipzig beyond this summer. However, that has not deterred Mikel Arteta and sporting director Edu Gaspar’s transfer adventures with the latest reports indicating it may not be long before the Belgian international Onana heads to north London as the chase for a new midfielder continues.

Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the former Everton CEO Keith Wyness has said that the 22-year-old will likely depart the Merseyside club even if the takeover of Goodison Park is completed.

Wyness said: “I still think there will still be sales this summer, even if there is a takeover. Onana is one who I think will go. I believe from my sources there is interest from Arsenal, and that’s something that could materialise. He’s exactly the kind of player Arteta likes, and I’ve heard certainly that negotiations are ongoing.”

The 22-year-old, who is currently featuring for his nation in the ongoing European Championships, has made 72 appearances for the Toffees, providing four goals from the midfield. He joined the Toffees in 2022, having impressed with Ligue 1 side Lille.

It was revealed by Football Insider earlier this week that the Toffees are expecting to receive some ‘cheeky’ bids to sign Onana before 30 June. Everton’s accounts will not roll over until the start of next month and it is understood that the Toffees may need to make a big sale in order to avoid another Profitability and Sustainability Rules breach. Onana had been thought of as an ideal sale to help the Goodison Park side avoid any more potential points deductions with the Gunners having been interested in the Belgian star for quite some time.

Onana, who has a £45 million-price tag attached to him, remains under contract until June 2027 but it’s highly probable that Sean Dyche’s side will look to bid farewell to the ex-Lille midfielder in order to keep hold of rising star - and Manchester United target - Jarrad Branthwaite.