Sky Sports pundit uneasy that Everton are in race to sign £50million-rated Amadou Onana
We’re delighted to welcome former Everton striker Kevin Campbell as our exclusive columnist. Each week the former Toffees captain will be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Goodison Park…
Everton signing highly-rated young midfielder Amadou Onana from Lille should not be the priority this summer, according to Kevin Campbell.
Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri reported on 8 July that the Toffees had already made an offer for the 20-year-old who has broken into the international side under Roberto Martinez, while West Ham have had multiple bids turned down for a player that is rated at £50million by his employers [90min].
Interest in the tall Ligue 1 youngster appears to be wide, and while wages shouldn’t be a problem Sky Sports pundit Campbell doesn’t feel that it should be the focus to spend so much on a player with relatively little top level experience when there are more pressing needs.
On such a big-money pursuit making sense in the club’s financial position he exclusively told Goodison News: “Well I’m not too sure what’s going on on the inside, obviously there’s a few players who have left the club.
“So that puts the club in a better financial position.
“Listen, if Everton wanted to sign him, Everton will push to sign him.
“I don’t think the wages or anything would be a problem.
“I just think Everton have different priorities sometimes.
“If you need to strengthen in other areas then £50million for an untried 20-year-old whose got great size and he’s got good ability, but that’s really not the most important position.
“I think Everton have got to go with the most important position.”
With a single season in the French top flight following the same period with Hamburg in the German second tier more or less the extent of the midfielder’s senior experience his rise has already been rapid.
Should he end up in the Premier League having cost millions it will show major development in a short space of time, but after earning his first full international cap in the previous season he certainly looks to be going places.
The prospect of adding him to the midfield is obviously attractive, but Frank Lampard could probably do more with money of that size should it be available, so unless the price comes down it would be a surprise to see the club continue to push.