According to Liverpool Echo, if Everton received a proposal of £50 million this summer, they would start talks to sign Arsenal target Amadou Onana.
On June 16, the newspaper said on its website that, although selling Jarrad Branthwaite would have a greater effect on PSR, the Belgian’s sale might elevate their standing just enough.
It is understood that Arsenal are keen on the player, but it remains to be seen whether the Gunners would be able to afford such a deal for the talented midfielder this summer.
However, the bottom line is that Everton would be open to opening talks with Arsenal on the condition that their £50m valuation is first met.
Could Everton lose Amadou Onana this summer?
For several months now, Onana has been attracting attention, and during the January transfer window, Barcelona was frequently connected to the midfield player.
It is not shocking, though, considering how well the 22-year-old has performed in his two Premier League seasons with the Toffees, as Jamie Redknapp has called him a “leader” and a “really top midfielder” already [Sky Sports via HITC].
Naturally, if Manchester United were to complete a deal to acquire Branthwaite—who they acquired from Carlisle United for £1 million in 2020—selling Onana this summer would not yield nearly the same return [Liverpool Echo].
The club may be permitted to make their own decisions regarding transfers over the coming weeks, however PSR will still be taken into consideration, given the latest rumors of the Toffees’ possible takeover by Dan Friedkin.
With Branthwaite turning into a key member of Sean Dyche’s squad this season, it has become abundantly clear that the club would much rather sell Onana and retain Branthwaite than the other way around.
Even if the Belgian is demonstrating a lot of promise at Goodison Park, it would be tragic to lose their standout center-half to a Premier League “big-six” team after an incredible defensive season.
Along with teammate center back James Tarkowski and goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, Branthwaite helped steer the Toffees out of the dreaded relegation zone by only giving up more goals than Manchester City, Arsenal, and Liverpool.
So losing Branthwaite would be far harder to bear than Onana leaving, even though he’s excellent.
