Newcastle United learn intriguing 'asking price' for transfer target amid Arsenal plan

Newcastle United must stump up £60million to prise Amadou Onana from Everton, according to reports. While most of the transfer talk in recent weeks has centred around player sales, the Magpies have made midfield a top priority should they create wriggle room for incomings. Sandro Tonali was the marquee arrival last summer but his ban for breaching betting regulations stumped Newcastle.

Long-term injuries to Joelinton, Elliot Anderson and Joe Willock - although the latter is nearing a return - have heightened Eddie Howe’s midfield crisis. As it stands, Bruno Guimaraes, Sean Longstaff and youngster Lewis Miley are the only first-team options available.

Losing Joelinton’s physicality for the rest of the season was a colossal blow but Everton powerhouse Onana could provide a solution. Signed for £33million just 18 months ago, the 22-year-old has proven a hit at Goodison Park despite the furore around the club.

The Telegraph reported last week that Newcastle are expressing interest in Onana - also linked with an Arsenal switch. But the Senegal international spoke in November about his desire to stay at Everton despite admitting that “losing every weekend” is tough.

“I grew a lot mentally last season,” Onana said. “I always fought for trophies or places of honour. The mindset is different, you have to get used to losing almost every weekend. I’m still learning personally and football-wise. We have to defend, run and suffer more this season. And I take that stuff.

“For the future, I don’t ask myself too many questions. Only my performance will take me where I want. I’m not thinking about leaving in January.”

Newcastle have lacked an enforcer in front of the back four throughout Howe’s managerial reign. Guimaraes operates as a deep-lying playmaker but, without Joelinton alongside him, lacks the muscle to marshal mathe midfield defensively.

Fresh claims that Newcastle must pay £60million may repel interest, however, with the club hamstrung by FFP/PSR constraints. Everton are also desperate to rejig their balance sheet after being charged with breaching rules for the second time in 12 months.