Arsenal identify Tielemans alternative
Karan Tejwani
- 4 Jul 2022 15:55 BST
- 3 min read
Arsenal have been keen on improving their midfield options, adding to an already-busy transfer window for them, ahead of a crucial season.
Mikel Arteta’s side have been very active in the transfer window, having completed the signings of Fabio Vieira from FC Porto and Gabriel Jesus from Manchester City.
The midfield is now seen as the next area to improve, and they were keen on a move for Leicester City’s Youri Tielemans, but that is proving to be difficult.
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The Gunners are unable to meet the asking price set by Leicester, and are willing to back out of a deal if it’s financially unreasonable for them.
Arsenal identify alternative to Tielemans
As a result, they’ve lined up alternatives in case they can’t get Tielemans, and that has come in the form of another Belgian midfielder: Amadou Onana, who currently plays for Lille.
There will be a tough fight if they are to sign Onana, though, as there is plenty of interest in the player and Lille are currently unwilling to sell unless a high offer comes in.
The 20-year-old had a fine season for Les Douges, having played 42 times for the club last season, including every Champions League game, and provided returns of three goals and one assist.
❌ West Ham have had £20M bid for Lille midfielder Amadou Onana rejected pic.twitter.com/jrbg7JlfmR
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) July 4, 2022
He only signed for Lille last year from Hamburg, and has four more years left on his contract, but considering his form, it seems unlikely he will fulfill that contract.
Onana has been linked with a move to Lille’s Ligue 1 rivals Monaco, who see him as a replacement for the departed Aurelien Tchouameni, after the Frenchman went to Real Madrid last month.
Additionally, Arsenal’s Premier League rivals West Ham are also interested in the player, but had a €23 million bid for him rejected, according to reports in England.
If Arsenal are to sign the Belgian, they will have to offer significantly more than West Ham, and they will want to get a deal done quickly as interest in Onana is rising.
