Barcelona make contact for €60 million-rated Everton midfielder, willing to offer €40 million

Barcelona’s search for a defensive midfielder has taken them all the way to the English shores, with a report from SPORT affirming that Everton’s Amadou Onana is now being considered by the Blaugrana.

According to the outlet, sporting director Deco has identified Onana as the missing piece who could overcome the team’s midfield issues and has made contact with necessary parties to explore the operation.

Given his age, 22, there is a belief within the management that the Belgian international could bring much-needed consistency to the team.

Deco is of the idea that the team needs a physically robust player, something that is entirely different from Xavi’s approach. The current Barcelona manager insisted on signings like Giovani Lo Celso, something that did not fit well with Deco.

A move for Onana is not easy

Everton would want €60 million for Amadou Onana. (Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images)

But now that Xavi is out of the picture of the summer transfer dealings, Deco wants to pursue his plan and for that, he is talking to concerned parties to bring in Onana, who joined Everton in August 2022 for a fee reported to be around €35 million.

But there’s a problem – the player’s price. Everton paid €35 million, but now the Merseyside team wants double, and are asking for €60 million.

Furthermore, the fact that Chelsea and Arsenal are interested is making it tough for Barcelona and Deco to proceed with this operation. 

Barcelona willing to offer €40 million

It is no secret that Barcelona’s financial situation is not great, and Deco needs to sell many players to afford this investment, which might not work out.

This is why Deco has set a limit – he’s willing to spend €40 million on Onana and for that, he has already established contact with the midfielder. 

If the player and Everton agree to this price, Deco and Barcelona will make an offer. But it’s not easy, as Everton remain fixated on the €60 million valuation, and the Blaugrana would need a miracle to meet that amount.