Amadou Onana speaks out about Everton future amid fresh Arsenal speculation
Amadou Onana has discussed his future at Everton amid speculation linking the midfielder with a move to Arsenal.
Journalist Dean Jones reported via GIVEMESPORT [26 December] that there is “some potential” of Onana leaving at the end of the season.
Manchester United have also been credited with an interest in the Belgium international, who has three-and-a-half years to run on his contract.
However, speaking to Everton’s matchday programme [27 December], as shared by BBC Sport reporter Shamoon Hafez on Twitter, Onana suggested he is happy.
“Right now, it’s next level here. Everyone knows their task in the team and I feel a real team spirit that we have built,” Onana said.
“Stepping onto the pitch feels like I am with 10 others who will go to war with me.
“I am enjoying life under [Sean Dyche]. His impact on the group is clear and there are certain aspects of my game that he has definitely taken to that level. He calls it the ‘ugly side’ of the game.”
“When I first came here, I came with a goal – to bring this club back to where it belongs. For me that starts with being in the right half of the table.
“If it wasn’t for those 10 points deduction, we would have been up there going into the Christmas fixtures.”
No need
It is obvious why Onana is being eyed up by some Premier League heavyweights, having put in some very good displays this season.
Arsenal were said at one point to be considering a January move, but there is surely very little – if any – chance of Everton cashing in.
The Toffees’ financial situation is well known, especially as the 777 Partners takeover drags on, but selling up now seems unlikely.
That stance may change further down the line, of course, depending on how much any interested club is willing to put on the table.
For now, Onana is clearly enjoying himself at Goodison Park and feels as though he is improving under the management of Dyche.
As many players have found out, the grass is not always greener away from the blue half of Merseyside.
Being linked with a title-chasing side is always nice, but Onana’s focus right now has to be on lifting Everton away from the bottom three.
As ever with transfer rumours such as this, though, it is important the Toffees start looking for possible replacements in case anything comes of it.
In other Everton news, a journalist says he would be “very surprised” if a transfer development happened at Goodison Park next month.