Man United want €55m EPL star, closely watching him, but Barca could pip them after holding talks - report
Manchester United remain keen on Everton midfielder Amadou Onana and are continuing to monitor the performances of the Belgium international ahead of the potential swoop, according to French outlet Foot Mercato.
However, the Red Devils risk missing out on the former Lille star as Barcelona have joined them in the race for his services.
Arsenal have also been linked with an interest in Onana, but Barca have recently held talks with his representatives.
A stumbling block for the La Liga club, which could still hand Man United an advantage in the race, is that Everton want around €55 million for the 22-year-old, and Barcelona do not have that cash right now and are looking to move for him in the summer.
It appears that the Old Trafford club are also unlikely to move for the Belgian next month after their football director John Murtough told their supporters last week not to expect a busy January transfer window.
Man United want to remain compliant with Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules and spending €55m on a midfielder next month is unlikely to happen.
Their midfield could do with such a physical and creative defensive midfielder despite the emergence of Kobbie Mainoo. Casemiro and Sofyan Amrabat have struggled to impress this term, and Onana would be an upgrade on the duo.
He blew his suitors away with a huge performance against Burnley at the weekend, bagging a goal, completing 87% of his attempted passes (26/30), winning 78% of his duels (11/14) and recovering the balls four times.
Everton were hit with a ten-point deduction recently but have managed to bounce back, with the Belgium international playing a key role in their recent impressive form, and losing such a player midway through the campaign is the last thing they will allow to happen.
A summer exit is more realistic, and Man United could look to seal a move for him permitted incoming new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe approves as he looks to turn their fortunes around on and off the pitch.
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