Man Utd could be dealt £50m transfer bombshell as Premier League rivals join race for rumoured target

Manchester United could be dealt a blow in their pursuit of Amadou Onana with reports suggesting Newcastle have 'identified' the midfielder as a January target.

Eddie Howe's side are in dire need of midfield reinforcements, having lost both Sandro Tonali and Joelinton for the rest of the season due to suspension and injury respectively. There are also concerns for the latter's long-term future amid the club's failure to get a new contract signed.

Onana has been excellent for Everton since arriving at Goodison Park in a £33million deal from Lille. The Belgian has been an ever-present in the Toffees' midfield and such form has attracted the interest of top clubs.

United have previously been linked with a move for Onana but The Telegraph reports that Newcastle will try to steal a march on potential rivals by making their move this month. The Magpies are willing to pay the reported £50m fee demanded but are exploring the possibility of taking the 22-year-old on loan, paying a small fee and committing to an obligation to buy.

Everton are understandably keen to keep hold of Onana but face a continued battle to balance their books. Earlier this week, they were charged for breaching the Premier League's profitability and sustainability rules (PSR) for the three-year period ending with the 2022/23 season. They have already been docked 10 points for breaching the same rules in the period that ended with the prior campaign.

Speaking earlier this month, manager Sean Dyche insisted any sale of Onana will be a decision made by Everton and not one forced upon them by financial constraints. The midfielder has also been heavily linked with a move to Arsenal.

Erik ten Hag is open to strengthening in central midfield areas in the summer as part of a rebuild under the control of new investor Sir Jim Ratcliffe. United are currently well-stocked in the middle of the park but there are concerns over the longevity of Casemiro, while Scott McTominay was up for sale all summer and Sofyan Amrabat has not impressed during the first-half of his loan spell from Fiorentina.