Everton midfielder Amadou Onana has confessed he would like to be playing for one of the world’s biggest clubs in five years’ time.
The 21-year-old midfielder, who only signed for the Toffees in the summer of 2022, emerged as an option for the Blues, and there was dialogue with the player’s entourage, in the January transfer window but a deal was never close to being done, despite major interest. Now, two months on from the start of the mid-season window, football.london understands Onana remains an option for Chelsea as they look to further improve their squad in the summer. He is, however, not Chelsea’s first-choice option.
The Belgian still has over four years remaining on his contract at Goodison Park but will almost certainly be sold should Everton be relegated this season. The Toffees are currently in 18th-place in the Premier League table despite Sean Dyche’s recent appointment offering them a mini revival.
Everton could lose a host of key players if they are indeed sent down to the Championship, including Onana – whose impressive debut season in the top-flight has caught the eye of senior officials at Stamford Bridge. Understandably, Everton do not want to sell Onana given he’s spent less than a season at the Merseyside club.
However, if the club are relegated then they might not have too much choice in the matter. With Chelsea’s financial power as well, it’s got to a point where it seems difficult to say no to the sort of figures Todd Boehly is presenting.
So the difficulties would probably lie between the two clubs rather than Onana, who has now made it quite clear that he wants to be playing at the top level within the next five years.
“I see myself having had a lot of life experiences, which will have made me learn a lot about human beings in general, as well as about myself,” the Everton man replied when asked by SoFoot where he sees himself in five years. “I see myself, God willing, in one of the biggest clubs recognised worldwide.”
Elsewhere, Chelsea remain interested in Declan Rice. But football.london understands Arsenal are now the front-runners for the 24-year-old’s signature. The Gunners, who are currently five points clear at the top of the Premier League, are likely to boast Champions League football next season, while that looks unlikely at Stamford Bridge.
As well as that, Arsenal have done some serious ground work to try and get ahead of other clubs in the race for Rice. However, it’s still expected that Chelsea will be firmly in the conversation for the England international when the summer transfer window comes around.
Edson Alvarez of Ajax remains a serious option for the Blues as well. Chelsea saw a £43million offer rebuffed for the Mexican international last summer but have retained an interest in the midfielder ever since.
source: dailymail.co.uk
