An update has emerged on Arsenal and their chances of landing a deal to sign Amadou Onana in the January transfer window...

What's the talk?

Speaking on 90min's Talking Transfers podcast, journalist Graeme Bailey revealed that any clubs hoping to sign the Belgian international would have to part ways with at least £50m.

This came shortly before The Evening Standard reported on Tuesday night that the Gunners have placed the Everton central midfielder on their radar heading into the final week of the window.

Fellow Premier League club Chelsea are also said to be interested in signing the 21-year-old, who joined the Toffees from Lille for £33m last summer.

Upgrade in midfield

Edu could land Mikel Arteta an upgrade on current Arsenal midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga by matching Everton's £50m valuation of Onana to sign the gem this month, or in the summer.

Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey have nailed down the starting spots in the middle of the park in the Premier League this season and Lokonga has been unable to force his way into the team.

The 23-year-old gem has only started twice in the top-flight so far this term, playing six times in total, and has averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.75, whilst making 1.0 tackles and interceptions per game, after playing 19 matches in the division in 2021/22 - making 1.9 tackles and interceptions per outing.

Arsenal could now land an upgrade on the midfielder and, in turn, find real competition for Xhaka and Partey by swooping for Onana as the 21-year-old has caught the eye in the Premier League this season.

Despite playing in a struggling team, who are 19th in the table, the gem has averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.94 across 18 appearances in the division, which immediately indicates that he could offer more than Lokonga in terms of his average performance level - based on their respective displays in 2022/23.

Talent scout Jacek Kulig once hailed Onana as "dominant" and a "one-man army" and this praise is backed up by his statistics for Everton as the Belgian international has made 3.5 tackles and interceptions per match and won 61% of his ground duels in the Premier League.

Only Partey (3.5) can match the Toffees gem's number of defensive actions per game this season and this suggests that the youngster could provide an injection of steel to Arteta's options in the middle of the park, which is something that Lokonga has been unable to do.

Therefore, Arsenal could land an upgrade on their current Belgian midfielder by signing his compatriot from Everton before the window slams shut, as Onana's performance levels and his defensive contributions indicate that he would offer more to the Gunners.