Liverpool are looking to target Amadou Onana from Lille as they look to add to their midfield before the transfer window ends.
Onana, 20, is a rising star who’s beginning to catch the eye of a whole host of clubs around Europe and including the Premier League.
The Reds have already failed to secure their main midfield target this summer, Aurelien Tchouameni, losing out to Real Madrid.
According to The Athletic, he is wanted by Liverpool who could add the towering midfielder to their roster of talent.
🇧🇪❗️#Liverpool, Nottingham Forest, Arsenal, and West Ham are all interested in a move for Lille midfielder Amadou Onana.
The Hammers have had a bid of £25m turned down in recent days.
Source: @TheAthleticUK 🗞 pic.twitter.com/EOJg1RJmhB
— LFC Transfer Room (@LFCTransferRoom) July 16, 2022
Who is Amadou Onana – and why are Liverpool linked?
Onana is a towering (1.95m) presence in midfield who experienced a breakout season for Lille after his move from Hamburg the season previous.
West Ham have been strongly linked with the powerful midfielder – bidding up to €38M plus add-ons.
Onana’s current deal will expire in 2026 and 90min claims the French club have slapped a mammoth price tag of £50m on the youngster.
The Belgian is a defensive midfielder who loves breaking up the play and possesses great physical gifts to thrive in the position.
Across Europe’s top five leagues – only Franck Kessie and Gini Wijnaldum were dribbled past fewer times per game (both 0.3) than Lille’s Amadou Onana (0.4) – according to WhoScored.
He featured 41 times last season, scoring three and assisting one as he caught of clubs around Europe.
West Ham are awaiting a response from Lille after making a third bid for their midfielder Amadou Onana. 🇧🇪
The bid is believed to be €38m plus add ons.💰
[via @skysports_sheth]. pic.twitter.com/FL7xauX5og
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) July 18, 2022
Where would he fit in at Liverpool?
Despite the links, West Ham appear to be in pole position to secure the services of Onana and it’s increasingly unlikely he will be signed by Liverpool.
Liverpool already has one of the best defensive midfielders in the league in Fabinho and can utilise Jordan Henderson or James Milner as cover if the Brazilian is unavailable.
Still only 20, he could be Fabinho’s understudy but it’s not likely he will see regular game-time if he made the switch to Anfield.
For the price being discussed, The Reds would much rather wait another season before moving the likes of Jude Bellingham or Matheus Nunes for example.