Transfer news: Aston Villa close in on Amadou Onana: Why is the Belgian midfielder so in demand?

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€59m reported deal 

The summer transfer window is beginning to take shape, and one of Everton’s prized assets in powerful midfielder Amadou Onana could be heading for the exit door. In the 2022/23 season, Onana was ranked eighth for the most tackles won in the entire Premier League, and sixth for the most aerial duels won out of all midfielders in the division, but last season wasn’t quite as successful for the towering centre-midfielder. Onana even found himself out of Sean Dyche’s starting XI towards the end of the campaign. Nevertheless, the 22-year-old seems to have attracted interest from many of Europe’s top clubs throughout his time at Goodison Park, and with pressure on the club financially, now could be the time to cash in on one of their stars, with Aston Villa reportedly closing in on his signature.

According to The Telegraph, Aston Villa are set to complete a club record £50 million (€59m) signing of Everton’s Onana this weekend. All financial terms have now reportedly been agreed with Everton, and Onana is set to have a medical this weekend after a short break following his involvement at Euro 2024 with Belgium. So why are Everton willing to let one of their star players leave? Why are Aston Villa so keen on the six-foot-four Belgian? And how much money are Villa spending this transfer window?

Why Everton are willing to let Amadou Onana leave this summer?

Everton were handed the biggest points deduction in Premier League history last November for breaches of profit and sustainability rules. At the time, the penalty left the Toffees with just four points, plunging them into the relegation zone, in 19th place, but they managed to turn things around and beat the drop. There have been rumours that Everton could be at risk of breaching the same rules again, which would mean yet another charge, so there is a need to balance the books at the club, and with Onana being their most valuable player, there may be an urgency to cash in this summer. It could take some pressure off the Merseyside club and could even give Dyche the chance to bring someone else in.

“I can come to a top club and become a regular player there”

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Tranfermarkt last November, Onana said, “I am truly convinced that there are no upper limits for me. That doesn’t mean to sound arrogant. But I believe in my abilities and that I can come to a top club and become a regular player there. Clubs came knocking [Last summer], but I wanted to stay to develop further and become a top player at Everton, perhaps the best.” He is already by far the most valuable player in the club’s squad. The 22-year-old also said about the constant rumours linking him with a move away: “I try to read almost nothing about it and keep it as far away from me as possible. I just want to concentrate on what’s important.”

Why Aston Villa want Amadou Onana?

At this moment in time, Aston Villa look set to get the Belgian international’s signature. The former Lille man was also linked with Arsenal, Manchester United and West Ham. The Villains have already seen key midfielder Douglas Luiz depart the club this summer in a €51m to Juventus, which leaves a gaping hole in their midfield. Unai Emery will be hoping Onana can fill that, and his engine and strong ability in duels could be perfectly suited to Emery’s transition based style of play. 

Onana was rewarded for two solid seasons at Goodison Park with a €50m market value last December and has maintained that value since. His value was just €30m when he joined from Ligue 1 club Lille for €35m in the 2022 summer transfer window. Onana is the fifth most valuable holding midfielder in the Premier League. However, some Villa fans could perhaps be concerned at the fee being paid for a player who couldn’t get in a struggling Everton team towards the end of last season. Villa reportedly look set to pay €59m for Onana – €9m over his current market value.

Aston Villa the Premier League’s top spenders so far

Aston Villa enjoyed a historic 2023/24 season as they clinched fourth place and guaranteed Champions League football this term. And so far this summer, in preparation, they aren’t messing about. No Premier League clubs has spent more than the €116.9m the Midlands club have already laid out on transfer fees, and only Bayern Munich (€145.4m) and Lyon (€134.3m) have spent more across the whole of Europe. The €44.5m deal for Chelsea’s Ian Maatsen is the second most expensive arrival to any Premier League club so far this window.

If the €59m deal for Everton’s Onana gets confirmed it would mean no club has spent more money on transfer fees than Aston Villa this summer. The club have however made €67.4m from selling players already this window, and will have received prize money for the qualification into the Champions League. It’s an exciting time to be an Aston Villa fan, but no doubt expectations will shift next season given the money spent and the squad that will be available to Emery.