Fabrizio Romano now reveals what he’s heard about Amadou Onana to Arsenal rumours

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Reports yesterday claimed that Arsenal were in talks with Everton over the signing of midfielder Amadou Onana in the January transfer window.

The Belgian midfielder is seemingly of interest to Mikel Arteta, who wants to strengthen his midfield options amid Thomas Partey’s injury problems.

It was claimed that a deal could even develop quickly for Onana, given that Everton are suffering from financial problems, but given that Arsenal also face financial fair play issues and need to sell to buy, it is unclear how a deal would be completed at this stage of the window.

Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has now given an update on Arsenal’s interest in Onana.

Fabrizio Romano downplays potential Arsenal deal for Amadou Onana

In his Daily Briefing, Romano revealed that whilst there is interest from Arsenal in Onana, nothing is currently close to completion in terms of a deal.

“I’m aware there have been some big claims being made about Arsenal intensifying negotiations to sign Amadou Onana from Everton. Of course this has some Gunners fans excited, but I’m afraid it’s not quite the information I have for the moment,” Romano claimed.

“My understanding is that Onana has always been one of the players appreciated by Arsenal but I don’t have more concrete updates than that just yet. Let’s see in the next days what happen, but for Arsenal it remains time to discuss internally before making concrete bids.

Is Arsenal’s interest in Amadou Onana a result of Partey’s injury?

It seems likely that Partey would have to leave to give financial leeway and space in the squad to sign Onana, but Romano has claimed that a January exit for the Ghanaian is unlikely.

“We know Arsenal have issues in midfield because Thomas Partey has barely played this season due to injury. Onana is a fine talent who could offer something similar in midfield, but it’s still early to know what will happen with Onana, and also with Partey,” he added.

“If you remember in the summer, Partey was already considered as candidate for sale until end of June, but then Mikel Arteta decided to keep him; so anything can happen there in the summer. For now it’s very quiet, as he’s injured now so there are no concrete updates so far.”

Onana has been compared to Patrick Vieira, and would add extra steel in midfield alongside Declan Rice.

Arteta’s initial idea may have been to start Rice further forward, with Partey at the base of midfield as seen in the Community Shield, but injuries have prevented this from happening, and Kai Havertz has mostly disappointed in a midfield role.

Jorginho impressed alongside Rice against Liverpool on Sunday, and perhaps Onana is seen as someone who can replace Partey and build Arteta’s ideal physically dominant midfield.