Chelsea could ‘look to sign’ Everton midfielder Amadou Onana in the next few days as an alternative to Brighton star Moises Caicedo.
The Lowdown: Caicedo interest…
The Seagulls star is a key midfield target for Graham Potter, and it’s believed that the Ecuadorian is ready to force a move to either Stamford Bridge or London rivals Arsenal.
However, it is also believed that Brighton have adopted a firm not-for-sale stance this month, potentially forcing Chelsea to weigh up alternatives.
The south coast club apparently value Caicedo at around £100m but they do not want him to leave the Amex Stadium, and if this transfer fails, Sky Sports journalist Kaveh Solhekol claims there are alternative targets for the west London club.
The Latest: Chelsea could ‘look to sign’ Onana…
Speaking on The Transfer Show via Sky Sports‘ transfer blog [Friday, 17:16], Solhekol says that Chelsea could ‘look to sign’ Onana as an alternative. Enzo Fernandez is another name to whom they could turn, but the Toffees midfielder could provide immediate Premier League experience.
Solhekol stated: “Chelsea have a made a verbal offer before for the player and if Brighton are saying he’s not for sale, he’s not going anywhere, Chelsea may want to respect that and not make another offer.
“Brighton are making it clear and they value him at around £100m. There is still a possibility they look to sign Amadou Onana or Enzo Fernandez over the next few days.”
The Verdict: Good option?
The former Lille midfielder only joined Everton in the summer, but amid the Toffees’ struggle to escape relegation, Onana may want an escape route to Stamford Bridge.
Valued at around £31.5m by Transfermarkt, the 21-year-old certainly comes with credentials and may potentially cost far less than the eye-watering figures quoted by Brighton for Caicedo’s signature.
The Belgium international has even averaged a higher rate of successful tackles per 90 (2.6) than any regular in Chelsea’s squad with more than two starts, backing how he could become a colossal defensive midfield presence under Potter (WhoScored).
Still just 21 years old, Onana would come to west London with the potential to be a signing of real longevity similar to Caicedo.
The towering 6 foot 4 ace has already been called a ‘leader‘ by former Belgium boss Roberto Martinez, and he could very well be a shrewd alternative to the Brighton midfielder, for whom a January transfer is proving increasingly difficult.
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