Aston Villa break club record by signing Everton star Amadou Onana, who was being eyed by Arsenal for Euro 2024
Aston Villa have announced the club-record signing of midfielder Amadou Onana from Everton.
He 22 years old Impressed by the Toffees after joining from Lille in a £33m deal in 2022.
And now the Villains have rushed to sign the Belgium international for a transfer worth £50m, despite interest from Arsenal and Bayern Munich.
That amount eclipses the £43m they paid Bayer Leverkusen for Moussa Diaby last summer.
It was a movement that may have indirectly led to one of the The most surprising seasons in club football for the German giants, who secured a league and cup double.
Unai Emery's Villa needed a replacement for Brazilian star Douglas Luiz, who joined Juventus earlier this summer for £42.4m.
And Onana – subject to a consultation of Arsenal last month – fits in perfectly having developed into a talented and versatile central midfielder in his two campaigns at Goodison Park.
His Villan teammate Boubacar Kamara is not expected to return from injury until the new season starts, increasing the need for a new midfielder.
Onana, who played four times for Belgium at Euro 2024, where he started in the quarter-final defeat to France, was forced to answer questions about his future at the tournament.
Asked directly about the Gunners' interest, he replied: “Any comments? I'm here to play in the Euros, mate.”
2
“I don't know exactly. I'm here to concentrate 100 percent on the Euros. That's all.”
Aston Villa have been extremely active in the transfer market as they look to balance their books and prepare for their Champions League campaign.
Enzo Barrenechea and Ross Barkley are two other midfield acquisitions for the Villains, joining from Juventus and Luton respectively.
They have also signed Samuel Iling-Junior, Cameron Archer, Lewis Dobbin and Ian Maatsen.
They have also re-signed Jaden Philogene from Hull, less than 12 months after he left Villa Park.
Meanwhile Villa has sold youngsters Omari Kellyman and Tim Iroegbunam.
