As the summer transfer window approaches, West Ham United is bracing for a significant battle ahead, particularly with Arsenal showing strong interest in signing a 22-year-old star player. This impending transfer window holds immense importance for Hammers boss David Moyes, who is in dire need of reinforcing several key areas within his squad before the start of the next season.
One often-neglected area that requires attention is the central midfield, where there is a pressing need for a dynamic, energetic, and physically powerful ball carrier at the London Stadium. It’s been widely acknowledged that Moyes is eyeing Amadou Onana from Everton as a potential addition to their midfield, a player whom he attempted to sign in the previous summer window.
It’s worth noting that Moyes initially lost out in a race to secure the Belgian midfielder’s signature in the summer of 2022 when Onana opted to join Everton from Lille. Now, he faces the possibility of missing out on the 6ft 5in powerhouse yet again, as Arsenal has reportedly initiated discussions with Everton about recruiting Onana to the Emirates in the upcoming transfer window.
Should Arsenal proceed with their pursuit of Onana, it could significantly diminish West Ham’s chances of securing the player. This situation poses a significant challenge for Moyes and West Ham. Many have expressed their desires for Moyes to have put in more effort to secure Onana’s services from Lille 18 months ago, especially considering his current standing as a player who could elevate the team to a new level.
Onana’s value was highlighted by his Everton teammate, Abdoulaye Doucoure, who labeled the midfielder as ‘unreal’ following a match against West Ham earlier in the season. With his blend of power, pace, athleticism, energy, and dynamism, it is widely believed that Onana would serve as a significant upgrade to the current midfield setup at West Ham, particularly in comparison to Tomas Soucek.
The potential of Arsenal securing Onana could represent a major stumbling block for West Ham’s transfer plans. In such a scenario, Moyes might be left pondering the decision not to pursue the Belgian midfielder sooner. It’s clear that Onana has emerged as a top priority for both West Ham and Arsenal in the upcoming transfer window, and the battle for his signature is set to be fiercely contested.
