text: Aston Villa is on the verge of signing Amadou Onana for £50 million, a move that is influencing Everton’s decision to retain Jarrad Branthwaite and likely thwarting Manchester United’s interest in the centre-back.
  - Aston Villa is finalizing a £50 million deal for Amadou Onana.
  - Everton’s decision to keep Jarrad Branthwaite is influenced by this transfer.
  - Manchester United’s interest in Branthwaite is likely to be thwarted.
  Aston Villa’s Ambitious Pursuit of Amadou Onana
  Aston Villa is finalizing a £50 million deal to sign Everton midfielder Amadou Onana. The 22-year-old midfielder is eager to work under Aston Villa manager Unai Emery. Onana’s impressive career includes stints at RSC Anderlecht, TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, Hamburger SV, and LOSC Lille before joining Everton.
  🚨 Aston Villa move for Amadou Onana (subject to completion) all-but ends any chance of Everton selling #MUFC target Jarrad Branthwaite this summer. Barring huge bids – Maguire, Fofana, Gvardiol benchmark – 22yo centre-back will stay at #EFC @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/FsES59q1L2
  pic.twitter.com— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein)
  March 30, 2023
  This transfer is part of Aston Villa’s strategic efforts to enhance their squad. The club aims to bolster its midfield, and Onana’s addition is a significant step towards achieving that goal. Read more about Aston Villa’s transfer move.
  Everton’s Firm Stand on Jarrad Branthwaite
  Everton has turned down a £45 million bid from Manchester United for their promising centre-back, Jarrad Branthwaite. Despite the significant offer, Everton values Branthwaite highly, comparable to top defenders like Harry Maguire, Wesley Fofana, and Josko Gvardiol. Branthwaite, who has made significant strides in his career with loan spells at Blackburn Rovers and PSV Eindhoven, is considered a key asset for Everton.
  The club’s valuation of Branthwaite is a testament to their commitment to retaining top talent and building a competitive squad for the upcoming season. Learn more about Everton’s decision.
  Broader Transfer Strategies at Everton
  In addition to their stance on Branthwaite, Everton is actively involved in high-stakes negotiations with Napoli for Danish winger Jesper Lindstrøm. The club is looking to strengthen its squad amid ongoing transfer activities in the Premier League. Lindstrøm, who has shown great potential, is a key target for Everton as they aim to enhance their attacking options.
  This move is part of Everton’s broader strategy to build a competitive team capable of facing the challenges of the upcoming season. Explore Everton’s transfer pursuits.
  In summary, Aston Villa’s imminent acquisition of Amadou Onana is set to have a significant impact on Everton’s transfer plans, particularly concerning Jarrad Branthwaite. As the transfer window progresses, it will be interesting to see how these developments unfold and shape the squads of both clubs for the upcoming season.