Arsenal have now been linked with a move for Amadou Onana...

What's the word?

According to RMC Sport journalist Sacha Tavolieri, the Gunners are taking a look at the Everton midfielder as he fits the profile of what they are looking for this month.

However, they face competition from fellow Premier League rivals Chelsea, as well as Newcastle United.

It's thought that Frank Lampard's exit from Goodison Park - coupled with the urgent need for money - has opened the door for the Belgium international to leave this window, just a few months after his £33m move from Ligue 1 outfit Lille.

Gunners' next midfield monster

Given the speculation circulating around the press at the minute, it's becoming increasingly clear that sporting director Edu Gaspar is trying to bolster Mikel Arteta's engine room, whether that's now or in the summer.

There have been some stunning links to players such as West Ham United skipper Declan Rice and Borussia Dortmund wonderkid Jude Bellingham, whilst Leicester City star Youri Tielemans has long been a target.

Over the years, the north London giants have been blessed with some absolute midfield monsters, with perhaps Patrick Vieira being the finest example and all of the aforementioned names could well follow suit, at least in terms of global reputation.

However, Onana must also be taken seriously and whilst he's likely to cost way more than someone like Tielemans - who is available for free in the summer - he'd be a worthwhile powerhouse to add to his squad.

Since the start of the Premier League season, the 21-year-old has arguably been one of the Toffees' only shining lights, with only two other players registering a better average WhoScored rating (15 or more appearances).

The £100k-per-week sensation has proven to be a threat at either end of the pitch, having averaged 2.97 tackles, two aerials won and 1.1 interceptions per 90, whilst also contributing 2.26 progressive passes and 1.23 shots per 90 too, via FBref; well and truly living up to the "one-man army" tag that was once bestowed upon him by scout Jacek Kulig.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, such eye-catching qualities have seen him compared to Aurelien Tchouameni and Paul Pogba by French football expert and journalist Julien Laurens, who described him as an "incredible talent."

Indeed, Edu and co could therefore find their next midfield "monster" - in the words of Pitch Side podcast host Oliver Fletcher-Warrington (Reev) - by signing Onana before next week's transfer deadline. If not, a move in the summer is perhaps worth waiting for, given the evidence above.

AND in other news, After Kiwior: Arsenal set for "talks" over £18m "special talent", he's an Arteta dream...