Amadou Onana: Everton boss reacts to Arsenal transfer links

Everton manager Sean Dyche has played down speculation surrounding midfielder Amadou Onana and transfer links with Arsenal, describing it as "just another story".

Onana has impressed in an Everton side hamstrung by a 10-point deduction dished out for breaching Premier League profit and sustainability rules, with his form leading to attention from other sides.

But Dyche and the Toffees understandably have little interest in letting one of their best players go during a critical time when the club is again battling relegation.

"He's been heavily linked before I was here and after, it's just another story," Dyche said. "He's an Everton player, so any decision that we make on players, it will be us that decide."

Onana cost Everton £33m in the summer of 2022, just a year after joining Lille for £6m. The Senegal-born star had recently made his international debut for Belgium, moving to the country aged 11, and went on to play 33 times in the Premier League season last season – 29 of those as a starter.

At 22, Onana still has most of his career ahead of him, but with a contract until 2027, Everton hold plenty of power when it comes to his future. That could change with possible relegation, which may be more likely if the Toffees are hit with another points deduction after being charged a second time for breaching Premier League profit and sustainability rules earlier this month.

Arsenal spent £105m on Declan Rice last summer following Granit Xhaka's exit, but both Jorginho and Mohamed Elneny are due to be out of contract at the end of this season, while Thomas Partey remains linked with an exit and was most recently the subject of an enquiry from Juventus.

The Gunners have scouted Royal Antwerp midfield prodigy Arthur Vermeeren, as have north London rivals Tottenham, while they are among a group of clubs tracking Fluminense talent Andre.

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