Manchester United looking to poach £33m midfielder if Premier League side suffers relegation - Reports
Manchester United are reportedly interested in signing Everton midfielder Amadou Onana should the Toffees suffer relegation.
According to TEAMTalk, Arsenal and Newcastle United have been tracking Onana, 21, but the Red Devils have now joined the fray. The Belgian midfielder has been in fine form during his debut season at Goodison Park. He has made 32 appearances across competitions, scoring onceand providing two assists.
Onana joined Everton from LOSC Lille last summer for £33 million. The Toffees understand that it will be difficult to keep hold of the midfielder if they get relegated. Sean Dyche's side are 17th, two points above the drop zone with three games to go.
Manchester United are expected to be in the market for a new midfielder in the summer. There's uncertainty growing over the future of Scott McTominay who has fallen down the pecking order under Erik ten Hag. He has started 16 of 35 games, and Newcastle are the frontrunners to sign him.
Onana, meanwhile, is keen on a departure from Everton if they go down. He wants to play at the highest level to cement his place in the Belgium team. Ten Hag will be keen to bolster his squad in the summer, especially if his side seal UEFA Champions League qualification.
Manchester United's Wout Weghorst defends his contributions
Manchester United signed Wout Weghorst from Burnley on loan in January till the end of the season.
He has been favoured by Ten Hag despite criticism over his lack of goal contributions and questionable performances. The Dutch striker has scored two goals and provided three assists in 27 games.
Weghorst has defended his performance at Old Trafford this season. He also says that the club haven't decided about a potential permanent stay, telling The Times:
“It has absolutely not been communicated with me that Man United don’t want to continue with me. They appreciate my value. They believe I am absolutely an asset for the team."
Reports claim that Weghorst is unlikely to stay at Manchester United. Ten Hag is expected to bring a blockbuster new centre-forward to the club in the summer. However, Weghorst has dismissed claims that a decision has been made as he concentrates on the rest of the season:
"Of course, I have heard different things (in the media). I have to wait and see what happens and focus on our goals in the league and cup competitions.’”
Weghorst will still have a part to play in the remainder of the Red Devils' season. Four games remain to secure Champions League football, as they sit fourth in the league, a point above fifth-placed Liverpool and with a game in hand. Ten Hag's men are also in the FA Cup final against Manchester City on June 3.