Euro club loses 'Plan A' as Everton exit could be complete next week - report

Barcelona are set to have one of their main transfer plans scuppered as Everton midfielder Amadou Onana closes on a move to Aston Villa, according to Mundo Deportivo.

The Spanish newspaper said in its print edition (14 July, page 19) that the Belgium international was Barca’s “Plan A” for the “pivot” position this summer.

However, Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano reported (13 July) that the Toffees have agreed a £50million deal with Premier League rivals Villa, with a sell-on fee included, with Onana set to sign a five-year deal.

Mundo said that transfer would be complete next week and added that Barca were aware that a move for Onana this summer would have been complicated even before Villa’s negotiation.

Amadou Onana Everton exit moving ever closer

There was always like to be at least one high-profile departure from Everton this summer and Toffees supporters will hope that selling Onana might give them more scope to keep hold of their other top talents.

Onana has been linked with an exit all through the window and Belgium’s elimination from Euro 2024 has meant the central midfielder has had more time to think about his club future.

There has been no shortage of suitors for the 22-year-old either and Barca were among those most heavily linked for his signature but the hefty price tag always meant that it was unlikely they were front runners in the race.

The deal with Villa will be viewed pretty favourably from an Everton standpoint, particularly as inserting a sell-on fee means they could earn a decent wedge if he were ever to move on again.

It is disappointing to lose a player of his calibre but, ultimately, it is a sale that felt pretty inevitable.

In other Everton transfer news, the club have seemingly made a decision on Dominic Calvert-Lewin after Onana’s exit.

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