Man Utd handed big boost in chase for €60m midfielder

Manchester United have been handed a boost in their chase for the Everton midfielder Amadou Onana, with the news that Barcelona cannot afford to sign the Belgium international this summer.

Sport reports that Barca had hoped to purchase the 22-year-old for around €45 million but that Everton are holding out for €60 million for the central midfielder.

Onana has been a long-time target of the Blaugrana but they will be instead forced to look for cheaper midfield reinforcements in the upcoming transfer window with Feyenoord star Mats Wieffer, 24, now linked instead.

Barca out of levers to pull

Barca’s financial troubles are well documented with club president Joan Laporta all out of levers to pull, meaning the club are facing transfer window disappointment unless sales can be made.

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Rumours currently surround the futures of players like Ronald Araujo, Ferran Torres and Raphinha, who could bring in big money for Barca and allow them to make new signings with the proceeds.

Raphinha, 27, as well as Torres have been the subjects of reports linking them to a double move to Arsenal while Araujo is reportedly a target for Bayern Munich and Man United.

Everton need to sell amid dire financial outlook

Onana, signed for €35m from Lille is 2022, has been a bright spark in a dull Everton season.

The nine-cap Belgian has scored twice in the Premier League from midfield in 22 games and is widely seen as one of the Toffees’ most bankable assets ahead of the summer window.

Along with Jarrad Branthwaite, Onana could well be shifted in order to ease Everton’s financial burden.

They were hit with a 10-point deduction earlier in the season, later reduced to six on appeal, for breaching the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability rules.

And Sean Dyche’s side are subject to another investigation which could bring yet more sanctions. If they are relegated to the Championship then keeping hold of their top stars looks an impossibility.

The Merseysiders could even fall into administration with the club reported to be around £600 MILLION in debt and their Bramley Dock Stadium project not yet complete.

It was confirmed by Onana's agent that he had TURNED DOWN the opportunity to leave Goodison Park in January amid links to Arsenal.

Man Utd plotting to reconstruct midfield

Man United, meanwhile, are searching for a high-calibre proven central midfielder. Alongside Onana, there have been recent links with Orkun Kokcu, the Turkey international currently embroiled in a row with his employers, Benfica.

A move for Sofyan Amrabat has not worked out with the on-loan Fiorentina man destined to be sent packing at the end of the season.

Mason Mount has just come back into the reckoning after injury but has struggled to convince since his initial £55m move from Chelsea last summer.

And after a bright start, wage-drainer Casemiro has stalled with neither the requisite fitness or form to continue as a first-choice for United in the long term.

The Red Devils could well get rid of other players like Scott McTominay and Christian Eriksen in the summer, allowing Erik ten Hag to bring in better quality in the centre of the pitch.

Emerging prospect Kobbie Mainoo appears to be the only United midfielder with a significant future role to play at Old Trafford and he is in need of a proper partner.

Barca’s loss may be United’s gain.