Amadou Onana deal is now ‘impossible’ because Everton star seeks ‘totally exorbitant’ conditions.

Barcelona sporting director Deco has admitted defeat in the club’s pursuit of Everton midfielder Amadou Onana, according to Mundo Deportivo.

Fernando Polo reports on page 4 of the Spanish newspaper’s 6 June edition that signing the Senegalese would come with “absolutely unaffordable” terms.

Onana might be one of the players let go at Goodison Park, as the club faces the prospect of having to rely on player sales during a lengthy takeover saga involving many parties.

The 22-year-old has been linked with Barcelona and other Premier League clubs.

Polo claimed in the report that “Amadou Onana of Everton is the one Deco likes the most.”

“But Barca considers [a deal] impossible because they believe that to let him leave, his club will ask for an amount that is absolutely unaffordable for Barcelona’s coffers.”
Despite Barcelona’s ambiguous stance on Onana, and a move to the Camp Nou looking doubtful, Sean Dyche may be willing to trade the midfielder to help balance the books and raise necessary finances.

Due to the unpredictable nature of Farhad Moshiri’s efforts to sell the club, player sales are currently the most reliable source of short-term revenue.

At 22, and with a successful period in blue behind him, Onana has piqued the interest of some of the Premier League and Europe’s top clubs, including Arsenal, who are looking for a successor to Thomas Partey.

Everton have been publicly enquiring about players in Onana’s position, which has fueled interest in the former Lille star – and attention from a former midfield master in Deco will undoubtedly be flattering.

Kalvin Phillips appears to be more likely than the newly linked Arthur Melo and Ao Tanaka to join Goodison Park this summer, perhaps opening the way for Onana to make a significant career move.