Barcelona considering part-exchange deal to sign Amadou Onana

Barcelona might offer a player in the deal to sign Amadou Onana from Everton, with Arsenal also interested in the €60 million-rated midfielder.

According to a report by Spanish outlet SPORT, Amadou Onana is the subject of interest from Barcelona. But the Blaugrana cannot afford his price tag of €60 million. So, they might offer a player to sweeten the deal to sign the Belgian international. Meanwhile, the Everton midfielder is also a target for Premier League bigwigs like Arsenal.

The Rise and Rise of Amadou Onana

Amadou Onana has been a pivotal figure for Everton since arriving from LOSC Lille in August 2022. While the Toffees have been constantly mired in the relegation battle in the last 18 months, the 22-year-old has been among the shining lights at Goodison Park during this period.

The Belgian international has turned out 64 times thus far for Everton, chipping in with four goals and three assists. But Onana’s long-term future at the Merseyside club is uncertain amid widespread interest in his services. Barcelona and Arsenal are among the youngster’s prospective suitors heading into the summer transfer window.

A Man in Demand

Barcelona parted ways with Sergio Busquets last summer after the veteran midfielder’s long and illustrious spell at the club. But they did not replace the former Spanish international with a long-term successor, with Oriol Romeu filling his void. However, Romeu has not made his mark and will likely leave Barcelona in the summer transfer window.

So, it behoves Barcelona to invest in a young holding midfielder, bringing Amadou Onana into the picture. However, recent reports have claimed that Everton’s price tag of €60 million has priced the Catalan outfit out of the move to sign the Belgian international.

But they are ready to sweeten the pot by offering a player in the deal for the 22-year-old, although the Toffees prefer a straight cash deal amid their struggles to comply with the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules. As for Arsenal, the Gunners can easily afford a move worth €60 million for Onana.

Recent reports have pointed to the Gunners preparing their offer to secure Onana’s services in the summer transfer window. Meanwhile, Barcelona can get a window of opportunity to sign the 22-year-old for a sum cheaper than €60 million if Everton cannot avoid relegation. But it will be interesting to see if a player-plus-cash deal sees the light of day.