Arsenal have been linked with Everton midfielder Amadou Onana for some time, but it now appears that they have ended all interest in him.
Onana has shone at times at Goodison Park since joining from Lille in 2022, but with his club needing to raise funds to comply with profit and sustainability rules, it appears that he could be on the move this summer.
Arsenal are in the market for a defensive midfielder this summer as they look to move Thomas Partey on after another injury-stricken campaign, and Onana was perhaps viewed as an option due to his supreme physicality.
It was recently reported that there had been tentative contact between Arsenal and Onana’s representatives, but it has now emerged that the Belgian will not be heading to North London this summer.
Arsenal will not move for Everton midfielder Amadou Onana
A report from The Mirror has revealed that Arsenal are now not pursuing a move for Onana, as they want a different profile in midfield.
“One midfielder definitely NOT joining is Everton’s Amadou Onana who was also linked in January but that caused raised eyebrows back then and is still not on the radar now because he is not the type of midfielder they want,” journalist John Cross revealed.
Onana is reportedly valued at around £45m, which would make him a much cheaper option than some other targets including Bruno Guimaraes of Newcastle, but Arsenal appear to have their sights set elsewhere.
Why Amadou Onana does not suit what Arsenal need right now
Arsenal would ideally sign a defensive midfielder who is strong on and off the ball, who could also contribute in attacking phases of play.
Jorginho has excelled at times given his quality in possession, but his physical limitations means that he cannot play every game.
Onana was perhaps scouted due to his supreme physicality off the ball, as he ranks in the top 8% of European midfielders for tackles and aerial duels, but his lack of ball progression in possession is a red flag.
The 22-year-old ranks in the bottom 48% of midfielders for progressive passes, and the bottom 31% for progressive carries. Put simply, he cannot drive or distribute the ball into attacking areas with the same quality as Partey or Jorginho.
There may be potential for him to improve in this regard in a different system to the one employed by Sean Dyche at Burnley, with Onana recently described as “intelligent and essential” after a strong display for Belgium, but Arsenal perhaps value other midfield targets such as Martin Zubimendi or Bruno Guimaraes higher for their excellence in possession.