Arsenal in Talks with Everton for Onana Transfer

Arsenal are reportedly in negotiations to sign a £50 million midfielder, potentially beating out rival Manchester United in the race for his signature. Mikel Arteta, Arsenal’s manager, has been seeking to bolster the team’s midfield options before the close of the transfer window. Aston Villa’s Douglas Luiz had initially been targeted as the Gunners’ top choice. However, securing Luiz’s services may prove difficult due to his lengthy contract with Villa. As a result, Arsenal has turned its attention to an alternative option – 22-year-old Ajax goalkeeper Andre Onana. According to various sources in Belgium, talks are underway between Arsenal and Everton, Onana’s current club. The young goalkeeper is said to be eager to make the move to North London, and an agreement could be reached swiftly. Everton had previously engaged with Manchester United in discussions over a transfer for Onana in the summer. The Toffees, who were docked ten points for breaching financial rules, had placed a £50 million price tag on the Belgian goalkeeper. Onana joined Everton in 2022 in a £33 million deal from French club Lille. Meanwhile, aside from their pursuit of a midfielder, Arsenal is also under pressure to secure a new striker. Their recent 2-0 loss to Liverpool in the FA Cup highlighted their need for more firepower upfront. However, Arteta downplayed the possibility of signing a forward before the season’s conclusion. The emphasis, he stated, should be on developing the current players and achieving better results. Arsenal finds itself in a challenging position, attempting to balance their needs with their capabilities in the transfer market. Whether or not they succeed remains to be seen.