Everton transfer update emerges as talks held over £60million January sale of Amadou Onana
Discussions have been held between Everton and Barcelona over a big-money sale of Amadou Onana but a deal looks “premature” for January, according to Seb Ecrivain Foot.
The LBCDS journalist reported via Twitter on 6 January that the Toffees are demanding £60million to let the Belgian midfielder leave in the face of interest from the Catalan giants.
Onana has routinely linked to a move to an English or European giant in recent windows, but it appears it once again may not come this month.
Ecrivain wrote: “Everton are asking £60m for Amadou Onana, in response to interest from FC Barcelona. Discussions have taken place, but a transfer seems premature this winter.”
In the balance
Whether that fee would be worth leaving a big hole in the middle of Sean Dyche’s line up midseason is probably up for debate.
But if Barcelona aren’t willing or able to pay it at this stage it may not matter, so unless the likes of Manchester United or Arsenal put a major offer on the table he should remain at Goodison Park for the rest of the campaign.
Onana’s form may not have been outstanding at times this season but it is easy to forget that he is still only 22 and is midway through just his third season in a top flight league, and the fourth of his career.
When he is fit he is a virtually certain starter, and he is shunned interest from elsewhere in previous windows despite the struggles at Goodison Park, so he could be set to remain for some time yet.
Prior to the emergence of Jarrad Branthwaite this season Onana was the obvious star man who has often been tipped to be sacrificed for a cash windfall.
But midseason he is probably still worth more on the pitch than for a transfer fee if it can be avoided, so barring some huge concrete offers it is likely going to be the aim to keep him in place for at least the next six months.
In other Everton news, a major signal appears to have been given on the immediate future of one Toffees player as Alan Myers delivered an update after a Saturday development.