Amadou Onana’s agent has revealed how close the Everton midfielder came to joining Arsenal in the January window.
The £60m-rated Belgian international was strongly linked with a move to Arsenal last month, with the Gunners rumoured to be interested in signing Onana from Everton.
With the Toffees in as bad a financial situation as they are, there was a real chance that the Goodison Park side could have sold Onana had Arsenal made a suitable offer for the midfielder.
Amadou Onana’s agent shoots down Arsenal transfer link
However, according to the player’s agent and sister Melissa Onana, the odds of the 22-year-old leaving Everton in January were slim, with a decision being made to stay during the window.
Indeed, Onana making a conscious choice to remain with Everton for the remainder of the season is a bold one, yet one that the higher-ups at Arsenal could respect.
Onana’s agent said: “We could have left this winter, but we once again sat down and asked the question whether it’s the right time, if the player is ready. My job is to put opportunities on the table.
“In the end, he’s the one who makes the choice because it’s his life and his career. I put the opportunities on the table and he said ‘No, I want to stay at Everton and I want to continue to fight’.”
Amadou Onana made the right decision in staying with Everton
Staying at a club like Everton might not sound like sound advice for most players, yet Onana isn’t your normal player.
The towering midfielder is set for a huge career in the game having thrived at Everton and impressed in the Premier League, with suitors now lining up for Onana’s signature.
And remaining with the Toffees and getting more experience ahead of a potential move to Arsenal could be the right decision for Onana in the long-term, with the Gunners expected to return for the youngster in the summer.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
