Newcastle United has set its sights on Everton midfielder Amadou Onana as a potential solution to their midfield woes. According to sources, the club’s recruitment team believes Onana has the necessary attributes and profile to improve the squad in both the short and long term.
The 22-year-old is said to be unsettled at Goodison Park and has been linked with moves to Arsenal and Manchester United. However, Newcastle has emerged as a potential destination for the Belgium international as they search for a new midfielder.
Onana’s impressive performances for Everton have not gone unnoticed, but the club’s financial problems have put them in a difficult situation. They were recently found to be in breach of Premier League Profit and Sustainability rules for a second time, which means they may need to sell players to balance the books.
This has given Newcastle an opportunity to test Everton’s resolve to hold on to Onana. However, the asking price of around £50 million is a stumbling block for the North East club. They are willing to pay the fee but would prefer to do so in the summer. They are exploring the option of a loan deal with a purchase option at the end of the season.
Onana’s physical presence and ability to control the midfield make him an appealing target for Newcastle. This is particularly important as they have been hit with a crippling injury list, which includes Joelinton being ruled out for the rest of the season. The Brazilian’s absence will be keenly felt by manager Eddie Howe, who is keen to bring in a new midfielder before the close of the transfer window.
However, Joelinton’s injury is not the only concern for Newcastle. The 27-year-old is yet to agree to a new contract, and negotiations have hit a stalemate. He is seeking an increase in wages to put him among the club’s top earners, but Newcastle has been unable to meet his demands.
This situation has raised concerns that Joelinton may leave the club in the summer, along with fellow Brazilian midfielder Bruno Guimaraes. The 21-year-old has a release clause of around £100 million, and there is interest in him from French champions Paris Saint-Germain.
To prevent losing both players, Newcastle’s interest in Onana becomes even more appealing. The club is determined not to panic in the January transfer window and will only make a move if the right deal can be done. They have also rejected any bids for striker Alexander Isak and center-back Sven Botman, as they look to strengthen their squad for the remainder of the season.
In terms of other potential targets, Bournemouth’s Philip Billing has been mentioned as a cheaper alternative to Onana. However, this deal may be hard to force through in January. Newcastle is also monitoring the situation of Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips, but their interest has cooled down due to the size of the loan fee and concerns over his lack of game time in the past 18 months.
Newcastle United is actively looking to bolster their midfield, and Amadou Onana has emerged as a top target. With Everton’s financial problems and the uncertain futures of Joelinton and Bruno Guimaraes, Newcastle may have a chance to secure the Belgian’s services. However, they are keen not to overspend in January and will only make a move if the right opportunity presents itself.
