Arteta is usually a ‘Baby Coach’. When it comes to signing players, that is why He can’t compete on a big stage; if I were Him, this guy would have already been signed.” Former Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp has urged Arteta to sign the £60 million star as soon as possible if he is to compete with Guardiola next season.

According to the Liverpool Echo, Arsenal has initiated discussions with Everton regarding a potential transfer for Amadou Onana. Everton is reportedly willing to sell Onana if a £50 million offer is made.

The 22-year-old Onana joined Everton from LOSC Lille in 2022 for £33 million. Since then, he has become an integral part of the team, making 72 appearances and featuring in 63 out of 76 Premier League matches since his arrival on Merseyside.

Onana is currently participating in the European Championships with Belgium and is expected to be a crucial player for his national team. He is likely to start when Belgium faces Slovakia at Deutsche Bank Park in Frankfurt on Monday night. Although he has only 13 international caps, he has played in all four friendlies this year and started against Montenegro and Luxembourg in Brussels earlier this month. Strong performances in the tournament could increase his market value.

Arsenal has been interested in the Belgian international for a while, and the Liverpool Echo reports that the club has now contacted Everton to explore the terms of a potential deal. Everton is reportedly open to selling Onana if an offer of £50 million is received.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano suggests that there are no formal negotiations yet, but he believes Everton expects bids for Onana, particularly from Arsenal.

Last season, Everton faced financial difficulties, including an eight-point deduction for breaching Profitability and Sustainability rules, which could have been 12 points without an appeal. This financial pressure might force Everton to sell key players, with Jarrad Branthwaite also rumored to be on the move.

For Arsenal, signing Onana makes strategic sense. Mikel Arteta may need to overhaul the midfield this summer. Mohamed Elneny’s contract is expiring, Albert Sambi Lokonga has expressed his desire to leave, and Thomas Partey’s injury-prone record—he only started ten matches last season—means any offers for him, whether from Saudi Arabia or elsewhere, would need to be considered.

This situation leaves Arsenal with only Declan Rice and 32-year-old Jorginho, who has signed a contract extension but may not be reliable as a regular starter due to his age. Therefore, Arsenal will likely need at least one, if not two, new midfielders this summer. Onana appears to be an excellent and feasible option, offering a younger and more reliable alternative to Partey, especially given Everton’s financial struggles, which might make him relatively affordable.

In recent years, Arsenal has shown a renewed willingness to purchase players from within the Premier League, a shift from their previous reluctance over the past decade. Recent acquisitions include David Raya, Declan Rice, Kai Havertz, Jorginho, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Gabriel Jesus, Leandro Trossard, Benjamin White, and Aaron Ramsdale. Could Onana be the next addition to this list?