Anthony Onifade

Fri 28 July 2023 10:40, UK

Everton are open to selling Amadou Onana this summer to fund the pursuit of a new striker, and the Toffees may well get their wish with Chelsea struggling to secure their top midfield target, Moises Caicedo.

TEAMtalk reported on 19 July that the Toffees are said to have made the decision to sell the Belgium international “reluctantly” with the manager aware that funds are tight at Goodison Park this summer.

The Belgian international joined Goodison Park in a big-money £33m move last summer and has swiftly become a star player this season as the Toffees narrowly escaped relegation on the Premier League final day.

Onana has been attracting plenty of interest from Premier League’s elite and according to the Athletic [8 June], Sean Dyche will want a replacement if the 21-year-old does potentially leave, with the Toffees reportedly asking for around £60million fee to fund their own summer business [Daily Mail, 29 May].

And with Onana among the club’s most valuable assets, a decision has been made that they are open to his exit should an acceptable offer be made by an interested party.

A number of the Premier League’s elite have been formerly interested in the Belgian international with Chelsea the latest side to be interested.

Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri, taking to his personal Twitter account on 14 June reported that the Billionaire-owned club had opened discussions for Onana’s services, with Everton wanting a fee of around £55m because of their financial issues.

However, the Blues have been focusing their efforts on Brighton midfielder Caicedo, and according to Fabrizio Romano taking to his personal Twitter account on Thursday (27 July), Chelsea have had yet another bid rejected by the Seagulls, which is said to be around £80m.

Romano tweeted: “EXCLUSIVE: Chelsea have submitted new bid for Moisés Caicedo in the last 24 hours.

“Understand Chelsea’s new proposal was £80m (€93m in Euros) — and it was immediately rejected by Brighton.

“Negotiations remain ongoing but no agreement at this stage.”

It remains to be seen whether Chelsea would be willing to match the £100m demand from Brighton, but should the Blues fail in their attempts to prize the Ecuadorian wonder away from the Amex Stadium, Everton should certainly brace themselves for a big money offer Onana with Maurizio Pochettino’s men desperate for a defensive midfield player.

It was only going to be a matter of time before Onana’s performances attracted the attention of Europe’s elite, and it looks as if Everton will face a tough and frustrating fight to keep their star midfielder on their books at Goodison Park.

The Belgian maestro has been an instant hit since his £33m move, showcasing his irresistible and dominant talents from midfield in just his first season in England, and his qualities may warrant a bigger platform than Everton before long.

And it’s easy to see why the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and now Manchester United have been linked with his services. His current ability, unique qualities in midfield and stark potential certainly make him an attractive and leading name in a market where several of Europe’s elite are on the hunt for young and exciting midfield prospects – Onana is definitely one of them.

With the Toffees desperate for funds this summer, it won’t be a surprise to see them offer up Onana’s services as an alternative to Chelsea and given the Belgian’s tremendous qualities, it would be difficult for Pochettino to say no.

Everton’s reluctant desire to sell could come at a damaging cost, however.

In other Everton news, an exit-linked Toffees player has recently been spotted in talks with a senior Goodison Park figure ahead of the new season.