Arsenal have been put on red alert with target Amadou Onana ready to leave Everton after just one season on Merseyside.
The Gunners are hoping to boost their options in midfield after their Premier League title challenge ran out of steam in the campaign just gone. Boss Mikel Arteta's top target is Brighton star Moises Caicedo, though they are battling Manchester United and Chelsea for his signature.
The Blues appear to have moved into pole position in the race to sign him, having offered Conor Gallagher in exchange. That has led to Arteta turning to alternative targets, with Onana chief among them.
The Belgian only arrived at Goodison Park last summer in a £33million move from Hamburg. He was a regular starter for the Toffees, helping them to escape relegation from the Premier League.
But despite only just finishing his debut season, it appears the 21-year-old is eyeing a departure. According to Het Nieuwsblad, Onana has decided he no longer wants to play for Everton.
It is stated that the Belgian international is 'very unhappy' with life at the Toffees and 'absolutely wants to leave' Merseyside. Everton chiefs have previously set a £47m price tag on Onana, though it is unknown if they will stick to that valuation.
Arsenal and Chelsea are both named as being interested suitors, after Onana made a 'solid impression' during his first season in the Premier League. Back in April, it was reported that the Gunners were preparing a summer move for the midfielder.
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They had considered attempting to thrash out a deal in the January window, but instead opted to sign Jorginho. But the Gunners have retained their interest and have been in contact with Onana's representatives.
Boss Arteta is desperate to bring in reinforcements to his squad, with both Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey linked with exits. And with Chelsea ahead in the race for Caicedo, targeting Onana could become even more important.
"I’m really interested in understanding what we have in the house, the resources we have already and how we can improve, how we maximise and take players to a different level, the ones that we haven’t got everything from, do it and the bonus will be make those decisions and improve the team," he said at the end of the season.
"We don’t want to lose that cohesion that exists around the team and that understand, hopefully we will make the right decision. I think we have some great foundations, that is true, in sport you have to prove it again.
"You have to be back first day in pre-season, look at each other and I don’t want to see any complacency, we’re going to have to be much better and it’s going to be a challenging season but a season with plenty of opportunities.
"One of those opportunities is to be consistent and do it again and do it better, and this is what we have to demand to each other. For sure, when we get to that stage if we are in the same position, we need everybody healthy and at his best, that’s crucial."
