Shocker! Aston Villa beat Arsenal to £50m deal for Everton star Onana

Unai Emery’s Aston Villa are reportedly in advanced talks to sign Everton and Belgium midfielder Amadou Onana.

Onana, 22, who featured for Belgium at Euro 2024, is close to signing for Aston Villa, and the opportunity to play in the UEFA Champions League was a big draw for him.

The Senegal-born midfielder joined Everton from Lille for £33m in August 2022 and has made 72 appearances for the Toffees, scoring four goals.

Onana close to Aston Villa move despite Arsenal interest

Arsenal and Manchester United also showed interest in Onana, but Villa’s offer met Everton’s valuation, and manager Sean Dyche will now re-invest in his squad as he looks to avoid another relegation scrap.

Onana’s signing will be a major boost for Villa, who sold Douglas Luiz to Juventus for £42.35m last month, and have been searching for an enforcer at the heart of midfield, especially ahead of what is expected to be a gruelling season.

In other news, Jaden Philogene is also expected to return to Villa Park in a £18m deal, just 12 months after being sold to Hull.

The talented winger was also linked to Chelsea and Barcelona but Villa have swooped to get their man.