Premier League club 'would allow' £50m Newcastle United target to leave amid Man Utd and Arsenal competition

Newcastle have received a boost in the potential pursuit of Amadou Onana with reports suggesting he will be allowed to leave Everton if the right offer comes in.

Eddie Howe’s side are among several to have been linked with interest in Onana, who has been excellent since swapping Lille for Everton in the summer of 2022. The 22-year-old established himself as a regular starter under Sean Dyche, registering 30 league appearances last season as the Toffees comfortably avoided relegation despite receiving two points deductions worth a total of eight points.

That continued improvement at Goodison Park has caught the eye of several suitors higher up the table, however, and Onana’s future has long been subject to speculation. And i News reports that the Belgian international midfielder would be allowed to leave if a suitable offer is presented to those in charge on Merseyside. Newcastle are joined by Manchester United and Arsenal as potential suitors, with all three in the market for midfield reinforcements.

There is no suggestion what that price-tag might be, but previous reports have suggested around £50million could do the trick. What’s sure is that Everton will want to make a significant profit on the £33m they paid to Lille two years ago, with income needed amid continued profitability and sustainability concerns.

Sales are expected at Everton during this transfer window, as there have been in previous windows including the £45m January 2023 exit of Anthony Gordon to Newcastle, and the report centres around the pursuit of Jarrad Branthwaite - another who has been linked with a move to Newcastle, although the Magpies are not near the front of the queue. Manchester United have reportedly agreed personal terms with the defender but remain some way off Everton’s valuation, believed to be north of £70m.

While the Toffees are remaining steadfast on their centre-back, it seems they are more open to the departure of Onana and potentially hope his exit would raise the necessary funds to survive another summer without losing Branthwaite. There has been no suggestion that any of Newcastle, Arsenal or Manchester United have progressed in a potential move for the Belgian.

Central midfield was thought to be an early priority for Newcastle with uncertainty surrounding the futures of Joelinton and Bruno Guimaraes earlier this year. But the Brazilian duo now look set to remain at St James’ Park, with the former signing a new four-year deal in April while interest in the latter has waned amid reports of a £100m release clause.

At this moment, focus among those in charge at Newcastle is more on wide reinforcements with Howe desperately in need of strength at right-wing. Regardless of Miguel Almiron’s future - the Paraguayan has regularly been linked with a move away - more attacking quality is needed on that side to balance the left-wing partnership of Gordon and Harvey Barnes. A new goalkeeper is also towards the top of the shopping list, with Nick Pope’s fitness issues a cause for concern while Martin Dubravka has also attracted transfer interest.