Deal Close: Patrick Vierra is HAPPY that Arsenal is set to sign world-class player that will have impact like him

‘There is a possibility’… Club could sell their ‘young Patrick Vieira’ to Arsenal in January

Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal could be able to sign Amadou Onana from Sean Dyche’s Everton.

That is according to talkSPORT journalist Alex Crook, who has claimed that Everton could sell Onana in the January transfer window.

So, what has been reported about Everton defensive midfielder Amadou Onana and Arsenal? Let’s take a look.

Arsenal linked with Everton midfielder Amadou Onana
Well, according to talkSPORT journalist Alex Crook, Everton could sell Amadou Onana in the January transfer window.

Crook has suggested that a move to Arsenal could happen this month. The Gunners are interested in the 22-year-old Belgium international defensive midfielder.

The Daily Mail reported last month that some at Arsenal are keeping tabs on Onana. The North London club want to sign a new midfielder this month.

Crook said on talkSPORT (7:41 am, January 2, 2024): “And the other player to keep an eye on with Arsenal is Amadou Onana at Everton, who we know Chelsea were looking at previously. And with Everton’s financial predicament, there is a possibility that he could be sold this month.”

My View: Arsenal should try to sign Amadou Onana
In my view, Arsenal should try to sign Amadou Onana from Premier League rivals Everton in the January transfer window.

If Arsenal get the chance to bring the 22-year-old to the Emirates Stadium for a relatively low fee, then they should get a deal done.

The Gunners were linked with Onana in the summer of 2023. The Sun reported in June 2023 that Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United were tracking the youngster.

Arsenal wanted to sign the midfielder before he joined Everton from Lille in the summer of 2022.

Amadou Onana
Photo by Vince Mignott/MB Media/Getty Images
Onana is one of the best young defensive midfielders in the Premier League who has previously done well against Arsenal. Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer rates him highly.

Former Everton and Belgium manager Roberto Martinez has previously compared Onana to Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira.

Martinez told Sky Sports in August 2022: “I’m sure Everton will use him in a more defensive role or he can be used box-to-box where he really uses his physicality. Off the ball, he is one of his most impressive young players with his intensity, the way he can press and then his arrival into the box.

“Sometimes he reminds you of a young Patrick Vieira in the way he drives with the ball. I think it would be a shame if we speak only about his technical and tactical abilities.

“He is quite unique in the way he is as a character. He is a leader as a young man who is already affecting the others in the dressing room.

Meanwhile, talkSPORT pundit Dean Saunders has raved about Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice.

The former Liverpool player believes that Rice, who joined Arsenal from West Ham United in the summer of 2023, is going to get better and is already a complete midfielder.

Saunders said about Rice on talkSPORT (9:26 am, January 2, 2024) while including him in his Premier League Team of the Season so far: “Midfield, I’ve got Declan Rice and Rodri sat there.

“Rodri, probably the best defensive midfield player in the world, playing out of his skin, nicks goals as well. Declan Rice we all know about, I think he’ll get better.

“But Declan Rice for me, three things you need as a midfield player, you need to be able to run quicker than everybody you’re playing against, you need to be able to out-football players you’re playing against and if it’s a determination and battle for the second ball, you win that as well. I think he’s got all three Declan.”