Anshuman Joshi
Barça set to go up against Premier League giants for €60m-rated Amadou Onana
According to Eurosport, Barcelona are targetting Everton’s Amadou Onana but face competition from Premier League clubs Manchester United, Arsenal, and Chelsea.
The 22-year-old Belgium international has consistently impressed ever since moving to Merseyside in the summer of 2022, shining through in a thoroughly underwhelming Everton side that barely escaped relegation last season are set for another tough business end this time round.
Regardless of the competition they may face for Onana’s signature this summer, Barcelona will find it hard to match the €60m price tag Everton have set for their key asset, owing to their well-documented financial woes.
It is equally unlikely that Everton remain in a position to stick to their price tag, however. The Toffees’ financial mismanagement is just as well-documented and even more cataclysmic compared to Barça’s, having even landed them a points deduction this season, with another deduction likely to follow before the last week of the league season.
Should they finally suffer relegation this season, Everton may not have a choice in the matter at all, and if the price were to come down, it is even likelier that one of the Premier League sharks will prize away the young defensive midfielder, unless Barça are able to offload enough deadwood to offer him a comparable contract.
Onana unlikely to go to Old Trafford
Amadou Onana is likely to remain in the Premier League next season regardless of Everton’s fate, though much like Barça, he is unlikely to move to Old Trafford as well.
Erik ten Hag’s men are facing an uphill battle to retain a Champions League place for next season, the lack of which will make it hard for them to attract huge prospects especially if they face competition from the likes of Arsenal, who have a more stable project and will at least be able to offer Onana Champions League football.
If Xavi ends up staying at Barcelona, which is highly unlikely given he has already announced his desire to leave come the end of the season, then his adulation for Frenkie de Jong could put the Blaugrana at a disadvantage as they will not be able to generate enough funds, making things a little easier for United in their pursuit.
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Chelsea might try flexing their financial muscle again to beat their competition, but if their recent travails are anything to go by, it would be wise for any up-and-coming player with the world at his feet to avoid moving to Stamford Bridge for the time being.
