Arsenal are on the hunt for a new midfielder in the summer transfer window, despite the signing of Fabio Vieira from Porto. The acquisitions in the middle of the park should not end there as the Gunners still need to sign a more defensive midfielder and that could also be Edu’s thinking.
One player that the Gunners have reportedly targeted is Amadou Onana from Lille, according to Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri. He has claimed that meetings have already taken between the Gunners and the player’s entourage.
Fans have had doubts about this potential signing due to Onana being a young Belgian midfielder with potential, which the club already has in Albert Sambi Lokonga. However, Real Madrid have already shown why having both players in the squad will still work.
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After the sale of Cristiano Ronaldo in 2018, Real Madrid changed their transfer model by targeting young players who had great potential. This was proven over a two-year period as Los Blancos splashed out on three young Brazilian stars who all played in the attacking and wing department.
The first player to come through the door was Vinicius Jr in 2018 for a £37m fee from Flamengo. This was quickly followed up with another young Brazilian signing in Rodrygo, who signed for a £38m transfer in 2019 when he was just 18. Finally, Reiner would be the next young Brazilian attacker to make the switch to La Liga side in a £21m transfer in 2020.
Despite all youngsters competing for a place in the squad, it has elevated the talents of Vinicus Jr and Rodrygo in particular, as they both played a crucial part in Carlo Ancelotti’s second Champions League title with Real Madrid during the 2021/2022 season.
Having a player the same age competing for the same position has elevated the Real Madrid players’ performance level, and Mikel Arteta can take inspiration from this when chasing the signature of Onana, despite still having Sambi Lokonga in the squad.
Football.london understands that Sambi Lokonga is set to stay in north London next season, despite reports about a potential loan move away from the club. The Arsenal’s player status for next season should not impact the possible incoming of Onana.
Despite the interest registered by Arsenal, London rivals West Ham have already had a £19m bid rejected for him according to Sky Sports. But, this should not worry Edu due to the previous history between the north London side and Lille.
The Gunners have been regular shoppers at the French club, having signed Gervinho, Nicolas Pepe and Gabriel Magalhaes in recent years. Edu had major success with the last signing from Les Dogues, as Gabriel has been a sensation since joining the Gunners in 2019.
At just 20 years old, Onana has established himself as a regular for Lille in Ligue 1 where he played 32 matches last season. He has shown the excellent potential he possesses, and why he could be an option for Edu in the transfer window. Real Madrid’s model on the way they sign young players should put to bed the doubts about having Sambi Lokonga and Onana in the same team.
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