Everton's £60m-rated star 'linked' with January move as Saudi Arabian club 'target' Newcastle star

The reported Saudi Arabian interest in Newcastle star Miguel Almiron has seen Everton star Amadou Onana put on a shortlist of replacements, claim reports.

Newcastle have had a quiet window to date, but the past week has seen reports emerge that they are ready to listen to offers for the likes of Callum Wilson, Kieran Trippier and even Bruno Guimaraes. Almiron, 29, has been targeted by Saudi club Al-Shabab with journalist Ben Jacobs claiming the two clubs have 'reached a provisional agreement'.

The club are also without summer signing Sandro Tonali in midfield who was banned for breaching gambling rules and despite Almiron being an attacker, Onana has been earmarked as a potential transfer replacement.

According to The Telegraph’s Luke Edwards, Onana, alongside Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White, Nice's Khephren Thuram, Atalanta's Ederson and Borussia Mochengladbach's Manu Kone are all also on the shortlist. It isn't the first time that Everton star has been reportedly targeted during the window. Arsenal and Manchester United were linked with a move and it's clear that the Belgian is an attractive prospect for a number of big clubs.

In terms of the Almiron deal, Edwards insists that reports of an agreement between Newcastle and Al-Shabab are premature, though talks are set to continue over the coming days. Plus, if a January deal can’t be struck, then the Saudi Pro League side are expected to renew their interest over the summer which could see Everton bracing themselves for an official bid.

With a deal set until 2027, Everton are under no pressure to sell Onana and could demand a fee north of £60m, which would constitute a huge profit on the £35m they paid back in 2022. Sean Dyche has reiterated that he is a key player who is viewed as someone who will be part of their plans for the future but transfer reports have continually cropped up during the January window.

Any big money sale would be a huge benefit to the club, despite the perceived loss of a key figure. It would help raise funds to protect against any financial sanctions while also giving them some funds in which to go into the transfer market with - something which is virtually impossible to do at the current time.