Arsenal could damage Manchester United transfer hopes as both clubs contact Everton
Arsenal have enquired about a deal for Amadou Onana who Everton will ask for £50million to sell, according to the Liverpool Echo.
Journalist Joe Thomas reported via Twitter and the outlet’s website on 14 June that, with the approach coming on the same day as Manchester United had seen their opening offer for Jarrad Branthwaite rejected at Goodison Park, a deal for the Belgian midfielder could damage the chances of a move for the English defender.
Onana, 22, has been “open” about his ambition, and amid links to various clubs in England and Europe a transfer is “on the cards” as he is not at the heart of Sean Dyche’s plans, with Sky Sports’ Alan Myers reporting the same day that the Belgian midfielder is expected to leave this summer.
If Arsenal follow up their initial contact it could reportedly “damage” United’s hopes of signing Branthwaite, 21, this summer, as a sale before 30 June would help ease potential profit and sustainability pressures at that club.
Thomas wrote: “If that was to be Onana then it would help Everton’s ability to withstand efforts to prise Branthwaite from the club for a fee below his true value.”
Amadou Onana and Jarrad Branthwaite wanted for Everton sales
If there was nothing to worry about in terms of the finances at Everton then Dyche would probably choose to keep both star men, but after two points deductions last season things clearly aren’t perfect even if the immediate pressure is off with north of £100million arriving already this summer.
But if he has to let one go then the fact that Onana wasn’t always in his starting line up last season while Branthwaite was virtually ever-present is a clear sign of what the manger would surely prefer.
The latter would bring in more money if his asking price – widely reported to be at least £70million – was met, but there is said to be a major reluctance from Sir Jim Ratcliffe to do so [talkSPORT, 11 June] and the fact that the opening bid was so low at around half that suggests it isn’t likely to happen any time soon.
It isn’t yet clear whether Mikel Arteta and the Gunners are prepared to spend £50m on Onana, and if United are hoping to capitalise on the situation at Goodison then Arsenal may well have an eye on it too.
The Toffees are apparently insistent they don’t have to sell Branthwaite cheaply before the end of the month for PSR reasons, so if that is true then they shouldn’t have to do a cut-price deal for his midfield teammate either.
But if it is a choice between letting Belgian international Onana leave sooner for below top price rather than losing England man Branthwaite altogether it might be something they consider.
In other Everton news, a takeover has now been agreed as Farhad Moshiri accepted an offer to buy the club.
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