Amadou Onana Makes £50M Move to Aston Villa

Amadou Onana has joined Aston Villa from Everton in a £50 million deal. The 22-year-old, who played every minute of Belgium’s Euro 2024 campaign, will now represent Villa in the Champions League for the upcoming season. Onana joined Everton from Lille for £33 million in 2022 and made 72 appearances for the Toffees, scoring four goals. He was also linked with a move to Arsenal in 2023 with several top clubs expressing interest this summer. Villa manager Unai Emery sought a new defensive midfielder following the sale of Douglas Luiz to Juventus for £42.35 million in June.

Onana expressed enthusiasm about playing in the Champions League and working with Emery, whom he considers one of the best managers. He also credited Villa midfielder and Belgium teammate Youri Tielemans for influencing his decision to join the Midlands club. “Youri played a big part in me being here because he told me lots of good stuff about the club,” Onana said. Villa, having finished fourth in the Premier League last season, are bolstering their squad for their Champions League return which will be their first since the 1982-83 season after winning the European Cup.

Onana’s arrival contributes to Villa’s significant summer spending, which has now reached around £140 million. In addition to Amadou Onana, Villa has invested £35 million in Ian Maatsen from Chelsea, £18.6 million in Samuel Iling-Junior and Enzo Barrenechea from Juventus, £18 million in Jaden Philogene’s return from Hull, £5 million in Ross Barkley from Luton and £9 million in Lewis Dobbin from Everton. Villa will kick off their Premier League campaign against West Ham on Saturday, 17 August.