Arsenal are looking to strengthen Mikel Arteta’s midfield further this summer with the addition of Amadou Onana. The Everton combative midfielder has taken Premier League football in his stride and the Liverpool Echo claim that contact was made between the two clubs on the opening day of the transfer window for the Belgian.
However, the Toffees are set to demand a fee in the region of £50million to part ways with the 22-year-old. Everton’s need to sell may even be reduced if Manchester United meet the £70m valuation for Jarrad Branthwaite, but if Arsenal do want to try and bring the price down for Onana, Express Sport has taken a look at four players who could be sent in the opposite direction.
Eddie Nketiah
Eddie Nketiah’s time at the Emirates could be set to come to an end this summer, with Arsenal eyeing another forward signing to compete with the English striker, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.
Nketiah is thought to be available for a fee in the region of £30m, with a host of interested parties from within the Premier League, including Everton.
There have been whispers of Dominic Calvert-Lewin leaving Goodison Park and should Sean Dyche’s side be on the lookout for another striker, Nketiah being involved in a deal for Onana could be a win-win for all parties.
Albert Sambi Lokonga
Albert Sambi Lokonga has returned to Arsenal following an impressive season on loan at Luton, forming a strong partnership with Ross Barkley on occasion, despite the Terriers’ relegation.
If Onana does make the move to north London, Everton would likely want another body in midfield and with Lokonga deemed surplus to requirements, could fill the void left by his Belgian compatriot.
Reiss Nelson
Reiss Nelson is another Arsenal star who struggled for gametime last season, but could find a home at Everton after reportedly asking to leave this summer.
The Athletic claim that Nelson has informed Arteta and the club’s chiefs to assess his options before returning to pre-season, with Arsenal looking for a fee in the region of £20m if he is to leave.
Only Sheffield United scored fewer league goals than Everton last year and their frontline could receive such much-needed quality in the form of Nelson.
Kieran Tierney
Kieran Tierney spent last season on loan at Real Sociedad and his future at Arsenal appears to be over, with Arteta content with the likes of Oleksandr Zinchenko, Jakub Kiwior, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Jurrien Timber as his left-back options.
Vitalii Mykolenko, Ben Godfrey and Ashley Young have shared that role under Dyche but Tierney has proven to be a Champions League-quality full-back and should he trim the £50m figure for Onana by heading to Goodison, a swap may work out for both clubs.
