Arsenal have identified an alternative target for Aston Villa ace Douglas Luiz as Mikel Arteta and sporting director Edu bid to improve their midfield in the transfer market.
The Gunners have branded strengthening their engine room as one of their priorities for this off-season. Arteta believes Arsenal must improve their core if they are to go one better next term and win their first Premier League title in 20 years after successive runners-up finishes.
Arsenal pushed Manchester City to the final day of the 2023/24 term but fell two points shy of the title. Arteta also mainly leaned on Declan Rice and captain Martin Odegaard to shape their engine room. Kai Havertz, Jorginho and Thomas Partey also each appeared for periods.
Arsenal see Amadou Onana as an alternative target to Douglas Luiz
Aston Villa star Luiz is one of the top names on Arteta’s shopping list to strengthen Arsenal’s midfield. That is according to football.london, which reports that the 26-year-old stands out as a proven commodity. He also offered Unai Emery nine goals and five assists in 35 fixtures.
But Luiz’s displays helping Aston Villa to qualify for the Champions League could make Edu’s attempts to secure his transfer a tough challenge. So, Arsenal have identified an alternative target in Everton ace Amadou Onana and could chase a transfer to help Arteta win the title.
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Onana is not the dominant name on Arsenal’s shortlist, though, with Luiz’s transfer a greater priority at Emirates Stadium. The north London giants are instead looking at the 22-year-old as a back-up plan. He helped the Toffees avoid relegation with two goals in 30 appearances.
Everton could have to sell Amadou Onana before June 30 due to PSR
Edu has sought to hold preliminary talks, however, with Arsenal contacting Onana’s agent to better understand the Everton anchor’s situation, per Fabrizio Romano. But the Gunners are still to approach the Toffees to start official negotiations to take the Belgian to north London.
However, Onana has fuelled speculation that he might leave Everton after admitting that his ‘goal’ is ‘to play for an international world club’. Goodison Park chiefs are even searching for a replacement, with TEAMtalk naming Leicester City star Wilfred Ndidi as a potential option.
Everton especially see Ndidi as an option as he will leave the King Power Stadium at the end of his contract this summer. The Toffees may even have to sell one player, like Onana, before the financial year ends on June 30 to prevent a third breach of profit and sustainability rules.
Selling Onana may help Everton greatly as Sport reported in March that the Blues value him at €60m (£51m). The Merseyside club also know that FC Barcelona admire the Belgian, who could have left Goodison Park for €40m (£34m) had Sean Dyche’s side endured relegation.