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Home > Arsenal > Arsenal Open Talks to Sign €10m Rated Ligue 1 Defensive Midfielder, West Ham Weighing up Second Offer

Arsenal Open Talks to Sign €10m Rated Ligue 1 Defensive Midfielder, West Ham Weighing up Second Offer

Amadou Onana, Arsenal

Arsenal are reportedly interested in securing the services of LOSC Lille midfielder Amadou Onana. According to reports in France, the North London outfit have opened talks with the player’s representatives over a possible summer move to the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners have already signed Fabio Vieira in this transfer window. However, reports suggest that Arteta is seeking yet another midfield signing to bolster the squad. While the Portuguese midfielder offers more depth on the attacking front, Arsenal currently have just 4 options for the defensive midfield.

Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka were Arteta’s preferred duo throughout the 2021/22 season. Albert Sambi Lokonga and Mohamed Elneny offered solid depth throughout the campaign. Lucas Torreira has also returned from a loan stint at Fiorentina. However, the Gunners are looking to add one more player to their roster.

Amadou Onana, Arsenal
Image Obtained Via: Ligue 1

The 20-year-old Lille midfielder played his first season of top-flight football in the recently concluded campaign after signing from Hamburg last year for a fee of £6m. The Belgian played 41 games across all competitions, including 17 as a starter (stats via Transfermarkt).

Onana’s impressive performances have piqued the interest of several big clubs. The youngster also got a call-up from the Belgium national team and earned his first cap with a substitute appearance against the Netherlands in the UEFA Nations League.

According to French publication RMC Sport (via Football Talk), Arsenal are interested in signing Amadou Onana and have held talks with the player’s agents. Manager Mikel Arteta is also said to be impressed by the Belgian midfielder. However, the Gunners must act fast if they wish to sign the Hoffenheim youth graduate.

RMC Sport’s Sacha Tavolieri (via The Sun) reports that another unnamed Premier League side are also pursuing the midfielder. It appears that West Ham United are the interested party. As reported by The Athletic, the Hammers have had a bid of €23 million rejected by Lille. The French club maintain that Onana is not for sale, while West Ham are weighing up a second offer.

Who Is Amadou Onana?

Born in Senegal, Onana largely spent his youth career with Belgian clubs Anderlecht, RWS Bruxelles and Zulte Waregem. The Belgian played for the Hoffenheim youth teams between 2017 to 2020.

After one season with the U-17 team, Onana was promoted to the Hoffenheim u-19 side, at the age of 16. The midfielder notched up 37 games over the course of two seasons before signing up for second-division side Hamburg SV in 2020. He played 26 games as Hamburg finished 4th in the second division during the 2020-21 season (stats via transfermarkt).

At Lille, Onana played 8 games in the Champions League, 6 while coming off the bench. He also made 2 starts in the Coupe de France competition, but Lille were knocked out in the Round of 32 by RC Lens.

Player Profile:

Amadou Onana has largely functioned as a defensive midfielder or a central midfielder. Lille mostly use a 4-4-2 or 4-2-3-1 formation.

Amadou Onana
Amadou Onana heat-map 2021-22 (Image Obtained Via: sofascore.com)

Defensive Profile:

Towering at a height of 192 cm ( via sofascore.com), Onana is an authoritative presence in the midfield. The Belgian is resolute in contesting duels – both on the ground and aerially. He wins 2.06 aerial duels and 2.7 ground duels per 90 minutes. He is also a high-volume tackler and a very safe 1v1 defender.

Onana Defensive Percentile Radar 2021-22 (Stats Obtained Via: fbref.com)

Possession Profile:

On the ball, Onana is still an uncut diamond. The 20-year-old is relatively safe in possession, but not particularly adept at progressions or creating. His passing range also requires improvement. The midfielder’s carrying capabilities can develop further, considering his imposing physique.

Onana Possession Percentile Radar 2021-22 (Stats Obtained Via: fbref.com)

Verdict:

Amadou Onana is a very bright player. It is no surprise that the Belgian has progressed through the youth ranks so quickly. Furthermore, the midfielder offers Arteta a distinct profile, one the Spaniard currently does not have at his disposal. Arsenal’s squad is littered with talented individuals with great technical ability. Adding a destroyer-profile in the mix would give the manager great flexibility in selection.

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The Belgian midfielder’s ability on the ball will also undoubtedly improve with time. The North London side have relied on a possession-heavy system under the Spanish manager. Paired with better teammates in a setup that favours ball retention, Onana has a better chance of improving his all-round game.

The only hindrance could be the transfer fee. LOSC Lille seem determined to hold on to Amadou Onana, and Arsenal may require a bid of over €30 million to prise away their starlet.

Should Arsenal sign Amadou Onana? Are there other options for the Gunners in the market? Let us know in the comments.

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Adithya Ravi
Football enthusiast. Stat enthusiast

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