Chelsea are yet to follow up on their unsuccessful pursuit of Everton ace Amadou Onana in the January transfer market. But the Belgian remains a target of the Blues for this summer.
That is according to Simon Phillips, who reports that Chelsea could revive their interest in a deal if Everton endure relegation. The Blues tried to sign Onana in the mid-season sales yet he opted to reject any transfer. But the 21-year-old remains on the west Londoners’ radar.
Onana was not a priority target for Chelsea in January and the Everton star is unlikely to be among their main goals for the next transfer window, either. But the Blues are tracking the Toffees’ bid to avoid relegation from the Premier League in case they can secure a bargain.
Chelsea could revive their interest in a transfer for Amadou Onana
Everton climbed up to 15th in the top-flight table after beating Brentford 1-0 last Saturday. Yet the Goodison Park natives are still only a point clear of the relegation zone through 27 games. They have also played one further fixture than each of the five teams below them.
Southampton are at the bottom of the table and can draw level with Everton on points by winning their game in hand. The Saints’ goal difference is also only marginally worse than the Toffees at minus-21 to minus-18. So, Sean Dyche’s side are firmly in a relegation fight.
Onana has started in 23 of his 25 appearances from Everton’s 27 Premier League games so far this season. He has played the fifth-most minutes of any Toffees player with 2,142 after joining them last summer. Frank Lampard paid LOSC Lille £33m for his transfer last August.
Why did Amadou Onana reject a move away from Everton in January?
Reports by Foot Mercato noted that Onana rejected a transfer from Everton to Chelsea in January. The Blues held talks with his agent over a move to Stamford Bridge after standing out through the Toffees’ troubles. Yet he had no interest in a quick exit, Ben Jacobs added.
Everton would have wanted £50m to sell Onana just five months after sealing his transfer, per 90min. Interest from Arsenal also helped the Toffees to set their asking price. The Daily Mail claimed Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta viewed Onana as an alternative to Moises Caicedo.
Onana showed why Arteta targeted his transfer as Everton beat Arsenal 1-0 in Dyche’s first game in charge. Darren Bent described his efforts in the match as ‘outstanding’ having put on an imposing performance. His bursts out of the midfield also created a host of chances.
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