'Downgrade' - Martin Keown slams transfer of player who left Everton this summer

Martin Keown has slammed Aston Villa for replacing Douglas Luiz by signing Amadou Onana from Everton.

The Villans captured the Belgium international from the Toffees for a club record fee reported to be £50m [BBC Sport].

Former Villa man Keown, in a column for the Daily Mail on 17 August (page nine), has criticised the signing and believes the 23-year-old represents a step back after joining from Goodison Park.

He said: “Aston Villa are another club going through change as they embrace a Champions League season.

“It’s bonkers to have sold Douglas Luiz. Amadou Onana (he cost £50m!) is a downgrade.”

Aston Villa slammed for signing Amadou Onana from Everton

The Toffees parted ways with the midfielder earlier in the window in a deal which appears to benefit all parties.

Onana wasn’t a regular starter under Sean Dyche by the end of the season and as a result, a sale for the right fee made sense.

The former Lille man has been a rare success story at Goodison after plenty of failed incoming transfers.

It is frustrating to lose the Belgian but with the financial and ownership situation surrounding the club right now, rejecting £50m bids isn’t something they can do.

After Keown’s comments, it is all the more ironic that Villa supporters have been left excited by Onana joining the club ahead of their busy season.

In preseason, the midfielder has shown that he has the ability to slot into Unai Emery’s setup and fill the void left by Luiz.

Everton have already benefitted financially from the deal and fans will wish their former star well.

In other Everton news, Jim White shares mega-money John Textor info fans will love.

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