Everton tell Man Utd they will have to bid ‘at least’ £50m for star after Red Devils make ‘approach’

Joe Williams
Man Utd transfer target Amadou Onana
Amadou Onana claps the supporters after a Premier League match.

Manchester United have made an approach to Everton for Amadou Onana as they continue their search for a new midfielder, according to reports.

The Red Devils are on the lookout for a midfielder after allowing Fred to complete an £8.62m move to Turkish side Fenerbahce.

That has freed up space in Erik ten Hag’s squad with Fiorentina’s Sofyan Amrabat understood to be towards the top of his list of reinforcements for the remainder of the window.

Casemiro, Mason Mount, Bruno Fernandes, Scott McTominay and Christian Eriksen are his remaining options in midfield as Ten Hag looks to build a Man Utd side capable of winning the Premier League.

There have been rumours that Man Utd have already agreed personal terms with Amrabat but there is no sign of progress in negotiations over a fee.

However, The Guardian claims that the Red Devils ‘are yet to make progress in their pursuit’ of the Morocco international and their ‘search for midfield reinforcements has led them to approach Everton about a deal for’ Onana.

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Ten Hag is ‘keen to address his team’s lack of physicality and has turned his focus to bringing in a commanding central midfielder’ but Man Utd could face a challenge persuading Everton to sell Onana.

The Man Utd boss is conscious that they ‘need more height’ in the team but it ‘would take at least a bid of £50m to convince Everton to sell’ this summer.

Everton are ‘not under financial pressure’ with the Toffees reckon Onana’s value ‘will continue to grow if he has a good season’ but the Toffees are aware that ‘it could be difficult to keep Onana if United’s interest develops’.

Man Utd play their first match of the Premier League season on Monday night against Wolves and former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson is tipping the Red Devils to win 4-0 win.

Merson told Sportskeeda: “What’s happened at Wolves is unbelievable. They’ve sacked their manager three days before their season starts. Directors and chairmen love someone they can run the show with. Gary O’Neill will come in and be very grateful for the job he’s got, and he’ll get on with it. The board will be happy.

“O’Neill will have a hard start at Wolves, and I worry for them this season. They’re playing a dangerous game where they’re relying on other teams to slip up in the bottom half of the table, and I’m not sure that will be the case.

“Manchester United have an impressive midfield, but I am slightly worried about their defence. Lisandro Martinez is their rock, and they will have problems if picks up an injury.

“They might have problems with scoring goals, and they’ve paid a lot of money for Rasmus Hojlund, who didn’t score too many goals at Atalanta. He’ll have to settle in quickly because the Premier League is very different from the Serie A. Lukaku scored bundles of goals in Italy and no one wants him now.

“Jadon Sancho has looked sharp in pre-season, and Rashford and Garnacho have been impressive as well. Antony is getting better with every passing week. If Hojlund is as good as his price tag suggests, Man United will have a great season.

“If I was a Manchester United fan, however, I’d be much happier if they’d brought in Harry Kane. Why they haven’t gone the full distance to sign Harry Kane is beyond me. He could play till he’s 36, and with Eriksen, Fernandes, and Mount behind him, he’d be excellent. I hope Manchester United’s decision doesn’t come back to bite them.

“Wolves are in disarray at the moment – they’ve sacked their manager three days before a trip to Old Trafford. Manchester United won’t believe their luck, and I’m backing them to win this game.”