Newcastle United are reportedly keen on signing 22-year-old Everton midfielder Amadou Onana, a target for Arsenal.
However, a report from TEAMtalk has claimed that Newcastle United are now having second thoughts about the transfer because of the massive transfer fee Amadou Onana will command.
Amadou Onana in Demand
The Belgian international has been heavily linked with a move to Arsenal as well, and the Gunners will also find it difficult to afford him if Everton do not lower their demands. The 22-year-old is reportedly valued between £70-90 million.
While there is no doubt that he is a top-class talent with a big future ahead of him, the reported asking price is massive, and any club might find it difficult to afford him. Newcastle United need to bring in a defensive midfielder who can start alongside Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes.
The Everton midfielder would be an exceptional fit for them, and he is already well-settled in the Premier League. He could make an immediate impact at Newcastle United and improve them instantly.
However, the Toffees will have to be more reasonable with their demands for the transfer to go through. Newcastle United are facing Financial Fair Play issues and cannot spend heavy sums on any player without offloading a few players. But Everton also have their own issues.
It is understandable why the Toffees want a premium for him. He is a key player for them, and Everton will struggle to replace him, especially in their situation. They are currently fighting the relegation battle, and if they fail to secure safety, it would be a massive blow for them.
Amadou Onana Has a High Price Tag
They are looking to recoup as much as possible for their prized prospect, and Newcastle will have to stump up the cash if they want to sign him. The Belgian midfielder is still quite young, and he is likely to improve with coaching and experience experience.
He has all the tools to develop into a top-class defensive midfielder, and he might even end up justifying the investment in the long term. It will be interesting to see what Newcastle United decide to do in the coming months.
Moving in January is almost impossible. Everton will not look to jeopardise their survival hopes by selling one of their best players in January. Any move will have to wait until the transfer window.
Newcastle United are one of the wealthiest clubs in the world following their takeover, and they have the financial means to pay over the odds for the transfer targets. However, they will have to adhere to the Financial Fair Play regulations. So, paying the reported asking price could be difficult for them.
