Arsenal are now having second thoughts about one summer transfer target that they have been tracking for some time.
Arsenal will seek to bolster their midfield options in the upcoming summer transfer window.
In Declan Rice, the Gunners have an elite-level central midfielder who could well be the heartbeat of Mikel Arteta’s team for years to come. The challenge now is to effectively build around the former West Ham United man.
Arsenal must sign a midfielder who allows them the make the most of Rice’s tactical versatility.
As things stand, the North London club can currently call upon Jorginho and Thomas Partey in that part of the pitch. However, whilst Arsenal have offered Jorginho a new contract, and his experience is useful, the Italian veteran is in the twilight years of his career and can no longer compete at the highest level week in, week out.
On top of that, for all of Partey’s quality, his dreadful injury record means that Arteta simply can’t rely upon the Ghanaian to be fit and available when needed.
Arsenal and Mikel Arteta reconsider position on Amadou Onana
As such, fresh blood is needed in the middle of the park. Arsenal have been linked with Newcastle United ace Bruno Guimaraes, amongst other potential targets.
Everton star Amadou Onana has also been linked with a switch to the Emirates Stadium.
However, according to Sports Lens, Arsenal now have “reservations” about making a move for the Belgian ace due to his mooted £60 million price tag, despite the fact that they have “scouted” him for months.
What Amadou Onana would and wouldn’t bring to Arsenal
It is easy to see what Arteta might like about Onana. The 22-year-old already has plenty of Premier League experience, and has shown in his time at Goodison Park that he can excel in the top flight of English football.
Onana is also available this summer, as the Toffees need to offload players in order to balance their own books.
The 11-cap Belgium international is a powerful midfield presence, reads the game well, is fierce in the tackle, and is a tidy passer of the ball. However, there are flaws and rough edges in his game. He can occasionally struggle to impose himself on matches, and doesn’t consistently make the right choices on the ball in the final third.
Onana has plenty of potential, and could develop into an absolute star, providing excellent back up for Rice in the meantime. However, he probably isn’t a player who would take Arsenal to the next level immediately.
