Everton may be forced to sell Amadou Onana in January as Newcastle United have identified the Toffees man as a potential new signing, according to iNews.
The newspaper reported on Monday (23 October) that the Magpies are keen to add to their midfield ranks given the potential impending ban faced by Sandro Tonali, with Everton man Onana one option that they have monitored as a potential replacement.
Sean Dyche’s side expected interest in the Belgian in the summer and were “prepared to deal” if the price was right, only for no bid to materialise despite the interest, but the financial situation at Goodison Park could see the Toffees sell.
Given the lack of financial security currently on the blue half of Merseyside, Everton may be forced to listen to offers once again in January and should Newcastle act on their interest, the Toffees may have to allow the Belgian international to depart.
Everton cannot afford to lose any of their best players in the January transfer window as Dyche attempts to keep the Toffees in the Premier League. There isn’t a huge depth of quality in the former Burnley boss’ ranks and any further departures could leave the squad in a precarious position.
Onana is one of the few sellable assets in Dyche’s team and given the financial fears at Goodison, it is natural that the Toffees would be willing to sell the midfielder should it ease their fears off of the pitch, but he could be the difference between staying up and relegation.
Arguably, the Everton squad were weakened over the summer transfer window, with Alex Iwobi sold to Fulham on deadline day in an attempt to raise much-needed funds, but no replacement was signed in the closing hours of the window.
There will only be so many times that the Blues can afford to sell their better players before it has a bigger impact on the pitch and while Dyche has been able to navigate the Premier League without Iwobi so far this season, it would be a lot harder without Onana.
Hopefully, Newcastle’s own financial fair play fears will see them look to the loan market rather than make a permanent move for the 22-year-old and Everton can try to keep Onana on Merseyside at least until the end of the season.
