“Captain material”: Arsenal now want 21-year-old who has been called a “young Patrick Vieira”

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Arsenal now want to sign Amadou Onana from Everton – a player who has been compared to Patrick Vieira.

What’s the story?

Well, the Gunners are now exploring a deal to sign the Belgium international amid plenty of uncertainty at Goodison Park – according to Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri.

The sacking of Frank Lampard, and financial problems at Everton, mean Arsenal have a chance of signing Onana despite the fact he joined the Toffees as recently as August in a £33m deal from Lille.

Arsenal do, however, face competition from Newcastle and Chelsea.

If Edu – Director of Football at the Emirates Stadium – manages to wrap up a deal for Onana, Arsenal fans should be very excited based on what has been said about the Belgian before.

Roberto Martinez, who handed the 21-year-old his senior debut for Belgium, once likened the Everton No.8 to Vieira, in what was huge praise for the dynamic midfielder.

Speaking to Sky Sports, the 49-year-old spoke very highly about Onana, saying: “Really exciting footballer.

“Off the ball, he is one of the most impressive young players with his capacity without the ball, the intensity, the way he can press, and then it’s that arrival into the box, sometimes he reminds you of a young Patrick Vieira in the way that he can drive with the ball.

“That’s a young player, he’s going to be 21 next week, so you’re still talking about potential, but what is already there is the leadership and the captain material that he brings to Everton.”

Arsenal must pounce if Onana becomes available

In our view, Arsenal have to make a bid for Onana if he does end up on the market.

The Everton maestro has taken to life in the Premier League like a duck to water, and boasts almost unbelievable attributes for a player of his age, both physically and mentally.

Onana has superb dribbling skills for a 6 ft 4 in midfielder, while that sizeable frame helps him get around the pitch with ease – he really does remind us of a young Vieira, or a Yaya Toure style playmaker.

A midfield containing Martin Ødegaard and Onana would keep Arsenal competitive at the highest level across the next decade, so be sure to keep an eye on the situation to see if a deal materialises.