'I want' - Amadou Onana’s stance on Everton move amid Arsenal and Man United interest

Everton star Amadou Onana was at the heart of plenty of Premier League interest in the January transfer window.

The 22-year-old has adjusted tremendously well to life in English football and has already made over 50 appearances for the Toffees since his move from Lille in the summer of 2022. The youngster has won plaudits over the last 18 months for his strength and athleticism in the defensive midfield position. Such form has already seen him establish himself as a senior international with nine caps for Belgium and he is expected to participate in his second major tournament at Euro 2024.

Arsenal, who have missed Thomas Partey for large sections of the seasons, were seen as potential suitors for Onana, as they searched for a midfielder to partner Declan Rice.

Similarly, Manchester United were also tipped to move for Onana, who has the potential to establish himself as one of the league’s leading holding midfielders. However, Onana opted to stick around with his current club as they battled for Premier League survival. The Mirror claims that an exit from Goodison Park was a realistic prospect in January but the former Lille midfielder was not interested in a mid-season switch.

Onana’s sister and agent Melissa is quoted saying via Sports Witness: “We could have left this winter, but we once again sat down and asked the question whether it’s the right time, if the player is ready. My job is to put opportunities on the table.

“In the end, he’s the one who makes the choice because it’s his life and his career. I put the opportunities on the table and he said ‘No, I want to stay at Everton and I want to continue to fight’.”

Melissa added: “I’m lucky that my brother is intelligent, which isn’t the case for all players, so I give him the pros and the cons of a situation that’s on the table.

“We talk about it, he asks me my opinion, and I say ‘this is what I think’. Then, he makes his choice. Personally, I’m also not a fan of transfers during the winter.”

Everton are one point adrift of safety in 18th position, the Blues face fellow strugglers Crystal Palace in their next game, before making the trip to Brighton. The Toffees will hope to be out of the relegation mix by 19 May when they face title-chasers Arsenal in the last game of the season.