West Ham’s Onana Pursuit
West Ham United’s hopes of landing midfielder Amadou Onana this summer have been met with a potentially prohibitive price tag. According to various stories on the internet, Everton has slapped a £60 million valuation on the 22-year-old Belgian.
This represents a significant hike from the £30 million Everton paid to acquire Onana from Lille just last summer. The inflated price tag reflects Everton’s belief that Onana’s value has doubled in his first year at the club.
West Ham were reportedly the frontrunners to sign Onana in 2022 before the deal fell through. With their misfiring loan signing Kalvin Phillips set to return to Manchester City, the Hammers are once again in the market for a central midfielder.
West Ham’s Onana Pursuit could cost £60 million
However, Everton’s current relegation battle adds another layer of complexity to potential transfer negotiations. The Toffees’ precarious league position might make them hesitant to sell a key player, especially for anything less than their desired price.
Everton are suggesting a valuation of £60-70 million which despite Onana’s talent and future potential is still well over the odds despite the inflated transfer market, where clubs are increasingly paying over the odds for players.
West Ham must now weigh Onana’s talent and potential against the hefty price tag. The Hammers will also need to consider the uncertainty surrounding Everton’s Premier League status before making a final decision on pursuing this transfer target.