Why Everton may require extra funds to seal Ethan Nwaneri deal as interest ramps up

Everton may need to act quickly if they wish to sign Arsenal attacker Ethan Nwaneri.

The 19-year-old has been strongly linked with a move to Hill Dickinson Stadium this summer.

Having spent the second half of last season on loan with Marseille, the England youth international faces an uncertain future at the Emirates.

Nwaneri has made 51 competitive appearances for Arsenal scoring 10 goals, and remains a highly-coveted talent for the future.

Alongside Everton, Serie A giants AC Milan have also been strongly linked with Nwaneri's signature during this transfer window.

The Italians could now be leading the chase too, as they seem to have firmed up their interest in the versatile midfielder.

How much AC Milan could sign Ethan Nwaneri for

As claimed in the print edition of Corriere delllo Sport on 31 July, Arsenal were reported to have set a £30million asking price for Nwaneri.

Both loan and permanent deals have been touted for the Englishman this summer, as it remains to be seen whether Arsenal are prepared to let him go for good.

Now, in a fresh report from Italian outlet Calciomercato, they claim that AC Milan have made an official approach for Nwaneri.

They state that it's an initial loan offer with around a £34m option to buy included, but that Arsenal are yet to respond to that bid.

If this figure is correct, then that would suggest Arsenal have increased their demands for Nwaneri, potentially forcing Everton to stump up more cash.

But is there still a place for Nwaneri in Everton's team, and if so, where might David Moyes find a starting role for him?

Why Nwaneri may struggle to earn Everton starting role

As things currently stand, Everton's strongest department is their midfield, particularly in the attacking area.

James Garner, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Iliman Ndiaye, Tyler Dibling, Merlin Rohl, Brennan Johnson; Moyes has some quality options to choose from.

Nwaneri's best position is in the number 10 role, but Dewsbury-Hall enjoyed a career 2025-26 season there for Everton.

Now adding Johnson to the mix in that position, and Nwaneri would massively have his work cut out to oust both of them in that position.

He can also play on the right wing, but if Dewsbury-Hall is in the 10, Ndiaye and Johnson will provide stern competition out wide too.

The Arsenal teenager can even drop deeper into central midfield, but there he'll find the likes of Garner, Hayden Hackney and Christian Norgaard.

So, Nwaneri likely wouldn't be guaranteed a starting spot at Everton, and Arsenal will surely want to send him somewhere where he can become a regular starter.

Everton, then, may not be Nwaneri's ideal suitor after all, and perhaps a deal with Milan could soon progress as a result.