Chelsea goal Amadou Onana (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)
Chelsea have been pushing to sign a midfielder this month and despite being linked with huge names, there has been little success in getting a deal over the line. While they continue to be linked with Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo, Everton midfielder Amadou Onana has emerged as an alternative.
Chelsea have already spent over £180 million in the winter transfer window and are still looking for a midfielder. Caicedo will cost around £90m and CFC will have to win the battle against Arsenal to sign the Ecuadorian. Fernandez’s situation is simple. As soon as CFC are ready to trigger the £106 million release clause, Benfica will be happy to let the Argentine leave. The Portuguese side is not ready to do business unless the release clause is met.
The Blues have looked at other options in the market and see Everton midfielder Amadou Onana as an alternative. If Fernandez and Caicedo are Plan A and Plan B, Onana is Plan C and CFC have been exploring the idea of signing him in January amid Everton turmoil. The Mersiders are in deep trouble as they sit 19th in the Premier League table and have sacked Frank Lampard. Given the uncertainty, Chelsea hoped to take advantage and lure Onana to Stamford Bridge.
Onana was signed by Everton in the summer for a fee of £33m and the Belgian has been a mainstay in the Everton midfield ever since. The Toffees’ turbulent performances have not deterred Onana from putting in tough shifts at times.
Amadou Onana could be a cheaper alternative for Chelsea
Chelsea contacted Everton to inquire about the Belgian but the 21-year-old rejected the idea of joining the Blues and instead wants to help Everton in the relegation battle. However, Onana has not fully ruled out a transfer, so there is a glimmer of hope for Chelsea to get a deal done by January 31.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Onana is on the radar of many clubs and the London club has held talks with his agents. Chelsea and Everton were also in contact as CFC wanted to understand the terms of a potential deal. The Merseysiders would want £50m for the Belgian midfielder.
Onana at £50m is certainly a much cheaper alternative to Caicedo or Fernandez, both of whom will cost astronomical sums. The 21-year-old operates with agility and energy, with his physical prowess through his 6ft 4in build. He is not a midfielder who can be bullied physically. The Belgian has an excellent defensive work rate and is not shy of being an aggressive ball winner. When going forward, Onana showcases fine direct ball carrying skills.
He is capable of operating as a double pivot or even as a No.8 but his attacking contributions will be limited. He surely supplies energy to the midfield and will win loose balls with relative ease. Chelsea need energy in the midfield and Onana is able to offer that.
Onana is definitely a cheaper alternative that will also allow Chelsea to save money that can be invested in the summer to sign long-term target Declan Rice.
Will CFC be able to sign Amadou Onana?
