Lille president Olivier Letang has confirmed that talks are ‘advanced’ over a deal with Premier League outfit Everton for Amadou Onana, speaking to RMC Sport.
On Saturday evening, as the Toffees began the new campaign with a rather uninspired 1-0 home defeat to Chelsea, Onana was spotted at Goodison Park for the very first time.
The only problem, as far as Frank Lampard was concerned, is that the 20-year-old Belgium international could do little but watch on from the sidelines.
Onana’s unveiling cannot come soon enough for the men from Merseyside. A 6ft 5ins powerhouse of a midfielder, the Senegal-born giant is an inspired addition to a lightweight Everton engine room; An immediate upgrade on Allan, Andre Gomes and the now-departed Fabian Delph.
Everton beat West Ham United to Lille’s Amadou Onana
“We are very well advanced with regards to a departure,” says Letang, before admitting that Lille had not initially expected to sell the former Hamburg youngster this summer.
“Amadou is in Manchester (this weekend). He must pass the medical examinations. Theoretically, the documents should be signed during the day (Saturday).
“Amadou’s departure was not included in our initial plans. The circumstances, the player’s will and the level of offers from the clubs (are key reasons why we have to sell).”
Everton have fought off competition from West Ham United for Onana’s signature (The Sun).
The Hammers agreed a £35 million fee with Lille last week. One Everton would later match. But theHammers have reservations about meeting Onana’s reported £100,000-plus wage demands.
A colossal investment for a 20-year-old footballer who arrives in England with 11 top-flight starts under his belt.
Everton, then, are paying a lot for as-yet untapped potential. Then again, some of their most inspired signings in the Farhad Moshiri era – and those are few and far between – were unproven youngsters arriving at Goodison Park under the microscope.
Richarlison, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Ben Godfrey, for instance.
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