Arsenal can snatch £43m January transfer from Man United amid four-man shortlist

All the latest Arsenal transfer news as another name makes it to Mikel Arteta’s midfielder shortlist with Everton’s Amadou Onana linked

Everton midfielder Amadou Onana is reportedly on Arsenal’s January radar (Image: Oli Scarff)

Mikel Arteta’s wish of adding more firepower to his midfield at Arsenal could be granted in January with reports of the Gunners keeping tabs on Everton star Amadou Onana.

The north Londoners were linked with the Belgian last winter after he settled into life in the Premier League incredibly well following his move from Lille. Aston Villa’s Douglas Luiz and Real Sociedad starlet Martin Zubimendi have both also emerged on Arsenal’s radar.

Now, despite the club-record signing of Declan Rice in the summer, the Gunners are now showing real interest in Onana ahead of the opening of the January transfer window. According to the MailOnline [via Metro], the versatile midfielder is ‘being watched closely’ by the Premier League leaders.

Onana cost the Toffees £33million in 2022 and it’s likely that Sean Dyche’s men will demand close to double that figure. Compared to Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira by former Belgium head coach Roberto Martinez, Onana is destined for great things.

Here, football.london takes a look at everything we know on the north Londoners’ January plans, Onana and Arteta’s ideal signing.

What has Arteta said about the January window?

If reports are to be believed, Arteta wants four players to be signed at the Emirates Stadium in order for them to become the best team in England. The Independent have claimed that the Spaniard wants to make four signings to complete his squad.

A striker, new midfielder and two full-backs are said to be the specific positions, with two set to be signed in January.

What has Onana said about his future?

Back in the summer, Manchester United were one of the teams that led the way in attempting to sign Onana. However, he remained on Merseyside.

Speaking in October, the midfielder said: “I’m not going to say that it [international duty] is my main source of motivation because I take very seriously the task that I have with Everton, namely, to help the club to survive,” he told Sport Witness.

“But I must admit that this change in atmosphere and finding a team with high quality players changes the mood. Mentally, it does me a lot of good.”

Asked if he would remain at Goodison Park for the entirety of the 2-23/24 season, he said: “That was my goal at the start of the season. But like I said I don’t have a crystal ball. I am not able to tell you what will happen in the future.

“For the moment, I remain 100% focused on my performance on the pitch. This is what will determine my future and that of the club.”

How much would Onana cost?

CIES Football Observatory value the midfielder at €30million (£25.9m) while Transfermarkt claim he is valued around €50million (£43.3m).