Aston Villa has secured a transformative £50 million deal to acquire midfielder Amadou Onana from Everton, as head coach Unai Emery looks to strengthen his squad ahead of the upcoming Champions League campaign.
Onana, 22, had made 72 appearances for Everton after joining from Lille for £30 million in 2022, including 37 appearances last season across all competitions. He showcased his talents on the international stage this summer, representing Belgium at Euro 2024, where the team was eliminated by France in the Round of 16.
This summer, Villa has already bolstered their midfield by signing Enzo Barrenechea from Juventus and Ross Barkley from Luton Town. Onana’s transfer marks the club’s eighth signing of the summer, following the arrivals of Ian Maatsen, Barrenechea, Samuel Iling-Junior, Barkley, Lewis Dobbin, Cameron Archer, and Jaden Philogene.
Is Onana Worth £50 Million?
With the sale of Douglas Luiz to Juventus, Aston Villa reinvested £21 million to bring Onana into the fold—a move praised for its forward-thinking potential. Despite a less-than-stellar Euros performance for Belgium, Onana remains a player with significant promise, and Villa’s swift action in securing him reflects their ambition and determination to enhance their squad.
While his time at Everton was met with mixed reviews from fans, Onana’s skills in tight spaces and his possession play helped him regain regularity in the team’s lineup during their critical fight for survival. The sale is also beneficial for Everton, allowing them to keep key players like Jarrad Branthwaite and Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Onana’s aspirations have aligned perfectly with his move to a Champions League club, making this transaction advantageous for all involved.
Key Dates for the Summer Transfer Window
The 2024 summer transfer window for the Premier League and Scottish Premiership is currently open and will close on August 30 at 11 PM UK time in England and 11:30 PM in Scotland. This alignment with other major European leagues ensures that Deadline Day processes are streamlined and efficient.
