Arsenal have been a dominant force in the Premier League for the past two seasons and Mikel Arteta will want to ensure that continues going into the 2024/25 campaign.
One way of ensuring constant improvement is dipping into the transfer market. “We analyse our weaknesses, where we can improve, where we can invest and then we go in search of that new name,” Arsenal’s sporting director Edu told Brazilian publication Estadao last month.
“What I am going to do now, we have been discussing since January. It’s not my decision or Mikel’s alone. It belongs to a whole group.”
football.london understands that the north Londoners are keen to strengthen in the summer, with both the midfield and forward line areas being looked at. It’s understood that a central midfielder is the priority, however, with the likes of Bruno Guimaraes, Martin Zubimendi and Douglas Luiz all linked with a move to Emirates Stadium.
Another player Mikel Arteta and Edu are interested in is Amadou Onana. According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, via GiveMeSport, the Gunners have contacted Everton to discuss a deal for the 22-year-old.
The Toffees’ No.8 featured 37 times for Sean Syche’s side last season and although his main quality is breaking up play and driving forward with the ball, he still contributed with three goals and one assist. He could be the ideal player at Arsenal next season, playing alongside Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice.
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Onana is part of Belgium’s Euro 2024 squad and the midfielder is keen to showcase his qualities on the world stage. Speaking to Het Laatste Nieuws, Onana said: “At previous tournaments you have seen that the players who did well make the step up to the top clubs. That’s something I strive for.
“I feel like presenting myself to the European top and showing what I have to offer. This European Championship is a stage.”
Interestingly, Onana had the opportunity to leave Everton in January but rejected the chance to do so. “We could have left this winter,” said Melissa Onana, Onana’s agent.
“But we once again sat down and asked the question whether it’s the right time, if the player is ready. My job is to put opportunities on the table. In the end, he’s the one who makes the choice because it’s his life and his career. I put the opportunities on the table and he said ‘No, I want to stay at Everton and I want to continue to fight’.”
It remains to be seen if Onana will leave Everton this summer. The midfielder is valued at £42.5million according to Transfermarkt but Everton chiefs are likely to ask for a figure much higher than that.