Amadou Onana speaks out on decision to remain at Everton amid Premier League transfer links
Everton midfielder Amadou Onana admits it was a question of “timing” regarding his decision to stay at the club and he is “fully focused” on the task at hand at Goodison Park.
Speaking to Le Soir (5 September) at a press conference on Belgian international duty, Onana explained that he had changed clubs every summer transfer window and needed to slow down and be patient for when an opportunity presents itself in future.
The former LOSC Lille maestro had been linked with various clubs this summer, with Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag interested in bringing the Belgian to Old Trafford last month as he wished to add some physicality to his midfield [The Guardian, 14 August].
The Belgian had also been linked with Chelsea and Liverpool and admitted he hasn’t missed any opportunity by choosing to stick it out on Merseyside.
He said: “It’s not at all a missed opportunity. Football is all about timing. You have to know how to seize opportunities when they present themselves.
“I had changed clubs every summer transfer window in recent seasons, but sometimes you have to know how to slow down and be patient.
“Now I am fully focused on my task with Everton.”
Everton fortunate to keep him
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 was incredibly easy to see why the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United have been linked with his services in recent months.
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.
Onana is a talent Everton can count themselves very fortunate to possess but also very fortunate to keep right now, given the various elite clubs that are desperate for midfielders of his gifted profile.
It was vitally important the Toffees made their stance on his future clear as he is hugely important to what Dyche is trying to build at Goodison Park. It’s unlikely the club will have found another player like Onana so they simply had to keep him for this summer at least.
Should Onana prove once again why he is one of the best young midfielders around this season, Everton could well be looking at a sale considerably more than the £60m price tag that was floating around in the rumour mills all summer.
In other Everton news, a potential boost has emerged ahead of their clash with Arsenal after the international break with one key Gunners player now set for a spell on the treatment table.