Aston Villa is on the verge of finalizing a deal with Everton to secure the signing of Amadou Onana. The transfer is expected to be worth around £50 million, and personal terms have already been agreed upon between Villa and the 22-year-old midfielder. This move comes as Villa prepares for their entry into Champions League football next season, with manager Unai Emery keen on bolstering his squad.
The Athletic has reported that Everton is aware of the average price range for midfielders of Onana’s caliber, which has been between £60-70 million in recent years. Consequently, they have been hoping to recoup a similar fee for the young talent. Onana has proven himself to be a key player for Everton, making 72 appearances since joining from Lille in 2022 for an initial fee of £30 million. It’s worth noting that Lille is entitled to 20% of the profit made on any sale of Onana.
Several other clubs have expressed interest in Onana in the past, including Manchester United, Arsenal, and Newcastle United. Even European giants Bayern Munich and Barcelona are known admirers of his talent. However, it seems that Villa has won the race for his signature. Onana’s enthusiasm about playing under Emery and his ambitions in the Champions League may have played a significant role in his decision.
Onana had been representing Belgium in the European Championship this summer, but unfortunately, his nation was eliminated by France in the last 16 stage of the tournament. Despite this disappointment, he can now focus on his move to Aston Villa and his future prospects in English football.
Villa has been proactive in strengthening their midfield this summer, having already brought in Enzo Barrenechea from Juventus and Ross Barkley from Luton Town. These additions, along with the departure of Douglas Luiz to Juventus and Tim Iroegbunam joining Everton, indicate Villa’s commitment to building a strong squad capable of competing at the highest level.
Meanwhile, Everton has been dealing with interest in their players as well. They have already rejected two offers from Manchester United for defender Jarrad Branthwaite, with the most recent bid totaling £45 million plus £5 million in add-ons. This suggests that Everton is determined to hold onto their key assets and build a competitive team for the upcoming season.
Overall, Aston Villa’s pursuit of Amadou Onana is a significant move for the club as they prepare for their debut in the Champions League. Onana’s arrival could provide them with the midfield depth and quality they need to compete at the highest level. The reported transfer fee reflects the increasing value of talented midfielders in the market, and Everton’s desire to recoup a substantial sum demonstrates their financial ambitions as well. As the deal nears completion, all eyes will be on Villa to see how Onana adapts to his new surroundings and contributes to their future success.