Newcastle United are “hopeful” of agreeing a deal with Everton for Amadou Onana this summer, according to Football Transfers.

The website reports that the Magpies are on good terms with Onana’s club, having negotiated a deal to sign Anthony Gordon from the Toffees in January last year.

Eddie Howe’s side are believed to have already done a lot of the groundwork needed ahead of tabling a bid for Onana.

The Belgian international is expected to leave Goodison Park at the end of the season, having spent two years on Merseyside after joining Everton from Lille for £32m in the summer of 2022.

Newcastle will face competition for the player

Football Transfers claim that Arsenal and Bayern Munich are also “heavily involved” in the battle to secure Onana’s services.

Both clubs are looking to strengthen their midfields this summer, with the Gunners set to offload Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny. Ironically, though, one of their alternatives to Onana is said to be a Newcastle player.

Is Onana being targeted as a replacement for Guimaraes?

If you asked Newcastle fans whether they need a no.8 or a no.10 this summer, many would say the latter, so the club’s pursuit of Onana may suggest that they are anticipating a potential departure.

Bruno Guimaraes does have a release clause in his contract that can be activated in June. Any team will, though, have to pay £100m to sign the Brazilian international, with Arsenal and Manchester City reportedly the two clubs likeliest to make an offer.

If Guimaraes does leave St James’ Park and the Magpies receive £100m, some of that could be devoted to recruiting Onana. It has been reported that Everton will demand around £55m for the Belgian.

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