Chelsea BACK IN for January target for ‘bargain’ price

Tom Weber

• Updated: 15 Mar 2023 15:53 GMT
• 3 min read

Chelsea might once again be eyeing Everton's Amadou Onana, and they could get the midfielder at a bargain price if Everton are relegated.

The Blues were already courting Onana back in January but saw their offers rebuffed by the Belgian midfielder determined to help Everton remain in the Premier League.

Almost two months later, Everton are still firmly in a relegation battle and reports now suggest that Chelsea could rekindle their interest in Onana if the Toffees were to depart the top flight.

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Sean Dyche's side are currently hovering above the dropzone, but it's a precarious position, with Everton just a point ahead of 18th-placed Bournemouth. In fact, the Scousers' advantage over bottom-side Southampton is a measly three points.

In case of relegation, Everton could see many of their high-profile players depart, and Onana would be one of the first to get snapped up by a bigger side.

Boehly's bargain hunt?

Chelsea have been the exact opposite of thrifty since the start of the Todd Boehly era, spending more than €600million this season, but that could change with the Amadou Onana transfer.

The Blues' leverage in the negotiations would certainly improve compared to their earlier attempts if Everton were a Championship side come the summer, and they could get Onana for a steal.

That said, the Belgian is anything but a priority at the moment as the Blues have other issues to fix, like the uncertainty they face in their goalkeeping department this summer.

READ: Chelsea's FOUR transfer targets amid goalkeeping uncertainty

Journalist Simon Phillips has, however, suggested that things could change quickly if Everton's fortunes do not improve from now until the end of the season. "This is something that could develop more," he told GIVEMESPORT, "especially if Everton end up getting relegated and Chelsea sense a bargain deal to be done."

Though still raw, Onana has been one of Everton's more promising players this season, being a towering presence in the middle of the park. But is the 21-year-old ready to make the step up and help Chelsea get to the next level?