Man Utd turn attention to £50m wonderkid midfielder as Amrabat transfer stalls

Suraj Radia

14 Aug 2023 09:22 CDT
3 min read

Erik ten Hag and the Manchester United badge, on a background of a panorama of Old Trafford in red — © ProShots

Manchester United have made an approach for Everton’s Amadou Onana as they look to bring in a midfielder before the transfer window closes at the end of the month.

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Erik ten Hag is keen to bring in a defensive-minded player in the middle of the park to provide competition and cover for Casemiro, with Fred joining Fenerbahce and doubts over the future of Scott McTominay.

United had identified Sofyan Amrabat as a target but the Premier League outfit have yet to make progress in their pursuit of the Fiorentina man, who would likely cost around £30 million.

NEXT GEN: Young midfielders promoted amid Amrabat transfer delays

The stall in business has led United to Onana, who only joined Everton last summer from Lille for £33m, however Sean Dyche’s side are keen to keep hold of the 21-year-old for another season.

A report in the Guardian claims that it would take an offer of at least £50m to convince Everton to sell, with the Toffees insistent that they are not under any pressure to cash in on their talismanic youngster.

Ten Hag is thought to want more height in his squad without sacrificing quality and sees Onana as a ‘destroyer’ who is good enough to play on the ball.

Sales before purchases at Old Trafford

United’s pursuit of a midfielder could largely come down to sales, with the amount available to spend set to fluctuate depending on whether the likes of McTominay, Harry Maguire and Donny van de Beek leave the club.

McTominay has been the subject of multiple bids from West Ham but their offer of £30m falls short of United’s £45m valuation of the Scotsman.

Maguire is also in talks over a move to the Hammers, having seen a bid of £30m accepted, but the move is still subject to personal terms being agreed, with United reportedly negotiating over a payout to their former captain.

OVER?: Maguire deal potentially on the brink of collapse

Fringe players such as Van de Beek and Eric Bailly are still expected to leave the club this month but any pursuit of Onana or Amrabat will likely have to wait until departures are confirmed, meaning a deal could drag on towards deadline day.