If we had told him, twelve months ago, that a big English club was ready to put more than 30 million euros to attract him, he probably would not have believed it. No more than his many accomplishments over the past year.
Leaving the German D2 with Hamburg to sign in Lille against 7 million euros in August 2021, Amadou Onana rubbed his eyes throughout the season. There was this transfer to France, his discovery of the Champions League, a tenure in the round of 16 at Chelsea, his exemplary career as captain of the Devils, then this first selection for the Red Devils last month.
And each time, his very mature performances almost make you forget that he will not be celebrating his 21st birthday until next month (August 16). “He has a strong personality. We saw him as soon as he started playing. He never hides, he asks for the ball and dares”notably analyzed Roberto Martinez after launching the midfielder against the Netherlands.
His atypical profile – which combines an imposing physique (1.95 m), excellent technique, great serenity in keeping possession of the ball and an ability to project himself quickly – makes Onana a real curiosity. To the point of creating great envy, when he has not yet won a place as a regular starter at LOSC, in particular because his club performances have not always convinced.
Several European clubs came to observe him in the stands of the Pierre Mauroy stadium during the season. Philippe Clement has also placed him on his list of potential replacements for Aurélien Tchouaméni, who has just left Monaco for Real Madrid.
“He’s a player with a great future. I believe very strongly in his qualities. I spoke to him at the start of the season to bring him to Club Brugge. But at that time he had already been in contact with Lille since Several weeks”confided Philippe Clement a few weeks ago.
However, it is at West Ham that the neo-Red Devil could land. Targeted to replace newly retired Mark Noble and potentially Declan Rice, quoted at Chelsea, Onana has totally seduced coach David Moyes. The Hammers have already made two offers to Lille: a first at 23 million euros, a second at 30 million.
Problem: the player still has four years of contract in the North. This puts LOSC in a strong position. Lille president Olivier Létang would even intend to match the price of the transfer of Portuguese median Vitinha to PSG, i.e. 41.5 million euros.
West Ham will therefore have to make an extra effort to prevent other clubs from entering the dance afterwards. Arsenal, Newcastle and even Liverpool had already inquired. While Monaco has the necessary financial power, having recovered 80 million euros from the sale of Tchouaméni to Madrid.