Arsenal monitoring Amadou Onana ahead of January transfer window
Arsenal are closely monitoring Everton midfielder Amadou Onana ahead of the January transfer window, according to Daily Mail.
The Gunners have had a good first half to the season and they are currently top of the Premier League and into the last 16 of the Champions League.
The north London giants are likely to spend in January as they look to win both competitions in the back end of the campaign.
The club have been fancied to sign a marquee striker recently but the hierarchy feel that could be easily achievable next summer.
Instead, the Gunners are planning to utilise the available funds in January to strengthen their central midfield and defence.
Onana is one of the top names on their radar and he is being closely tracked.
Fulham’s Joao Palhinha has also been mentioned as a transfer target, but he does not fall into the club’s policy. He is already 28.
Arsenal need a new midfielder this winter
The Gunners are currently in a midfield injury crisis. Jorginho, Mohamed Elneny and Thomas Partey are all on the sidelines.
Declan Rice is the only recognised defensive midfielder in the squad as a result. Jorginho could return this weekend, but the situation is a big warning sign for the Gunners.
Arteta’s side slumped in the final weeks of last season after a long-term injury for William Saliba and they need more quality and depth in midfield and central defence.
Thomas Partey could return from his thigh problem in the coming weeks but the midfielder is then expected to travel with Ghana for the African Cup of Nations.
With his injury record at Arsenal, he is no longer a reliable figure over an extended period of games.
Onana would be a quality acquisition for the Gunners with his strong tackling skills and ball recoveries.
He has won an average of 1.7 tackles and made 6.3 ball recoveries per league game this term.
His work rate is another huge plus point. His distribution should improve with better players around him at Arsenal, but the big question is whether the 22-year-old would be sold.
Everton declined to consider any offers for him last winter amid their relegation battle. They are better placed this season despite being docked 10 points by the Premier League.
Based on last summer, it could take £50 million to prise him away from the Toffees.
Stats from Sofascore.com
