Unai Emery's Aston Villa are preparing for the next campaign as the Birmingham side secured Champions League football for the first time in the club's history. And after selling Douglas Luiz to Juventus, the Spanish manager knew he had to sign a top-quality defensive midfielder.
Aston Villa close to signing Everton's Amadou Onana
That player is Amadou Onana, a 22-year-old Belgium international, who featured in all the games his nation played at EURO 2024. According to The Athletic, the player already agreed personal terms with Aston Villa and the two clubs are now working to seal the 50 million pounds transfer.
Amadou Onana arrived at Everton in 2022 and played a key part as The Toffees avoided relegation from the Premier League in both seasons he's spent at the club. He made a total of 72 appearances for the club, registering four goals and three assists.
Before Everton, Onana played for Ligue 1 side Lille and for German outlets Hoffenheim and Hamburger. He is a product of the Zulte Waregem Academy.
READ MORE: Complete guide to Premier League club's pre-season fixtures
Busy transfer window for Aston Villa
Amadou Onana will be Aston Villa's seventh signing of this transfer window. The Birmingham side also added Ian Maatsen, Cameron Archer, Samuel Iling-Junior, Lewis Dobbin, Enzo Barrenechea, and Ross Barkley to their squad.
At 50 million pounds, Onana will be the most expensive arrival in the club's history, surpassing the signing of Moussa Diaby from Bayer Leverkusen in 2023.
This summer's most expensive arrival was Ian Maatsen, signed from Chelsea for 37 million pounds.
Everton won't sell another star player
Onana's departure means that Everton will now refuse any bids that don't match their desired price tag for Jarrad Branthwaite, reports The Athletic. The 22-year-old has been heavily linked to a move away from Goodison Park, but he might stay put.
Everton already declined a 45 million pounds offer from Manchester United for their centre-back sensation and won't accept any bid lower than 75 million pounds.
Branthwaite featured in 35 Premier League games for Everton last season and even scored three goals, including one in a famous 2-0 win over Liverpool in April to blow their rival's hopes in the title race.