Everton transfer news: Manchester United in talks over January Amadou Onana move amid Erik ten Hag update on Sofyan Amrabat
Manchester United have opened talks with Everton midfielder Amadou Onana over a possible January move, according to Football Transfers.
The outlet reports via their website on 8 January that the Old Trafford couldn’t afford the Belgian midfielder in the summer when Erik ten Had wanted him over Sofyan Amrabat but they now have the cash for one major move this month.
United apparently believe Onana, 22, is a more valuable target as they see him as being able to play all across the defence as well as in the centre of midfield.
The interest in the Toffees star comes with Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos said to want to completely overhaul the midfield in Manchester since their arrival as minority owners.
It has previously been reported that Everton are asking £60million for any deal on Onana, having had discussions with Barcelona.
The Toffees are already trying to bring a player in from Old Trafford after their late attempt to hijack Hannibal Mejbri’s loan move to Sevilla.
Stature
It is unlikely to be a popular move for the Toffees to sacrifice one of their top men to Old Trafford, especially during the January window.
A move is surely unlikely unless United put serious money on the table that Everton feel they have no choice but to accept in their current financial circumstances.
With 777 Partners said to be putting millions into the club to fund the monthly running costs but unwilling to do so past this month if their potential takeover isn’t sorted there is the potential to need a major cash windfall in the transfer market.
However, if the situation around the ownership at Goodison Park is more positive then Sean Dyche is bound to want any possible departures to wait until the summer when he should have a greater chance to replace them.
Onana remains a key man for the Toffees despite a few injury and form issues this season, and while it has long been assumed that he will make a big money exit he has remained in place up to this point despite regular interest.
That interest, given his age and ability, is unsurprising but it would risk throwing Dyche’s side off course during a season where they have, until recently, been hugely-improved.
In other Everton news, a Goodison Park exit is now almost certainly on the cards after a weekend development.