Amadou Onana’s agent Melissa Onana says the midfielder snubbed Manchester United to join Aston Villa in July 2024.
The Belgium international first arrived in the UK when Everton signed him from Lille in August 2022. He impressed for the Toffees, and his performances attracted interest from a few Premier League sides.
In July 2024, we covered claims from Belgium that Manchester United made a serious attempt to hijack Amadou’s signing from Aston Villa’s clutches. That information appeared to be coming from the player’s camp.
His sister, Melissa, who is also his agent, has now spoken at length to Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri. Walfoot have relayed her comments about Manchester United’s late attempt and why the 24-year-old snubbed the Red Devils in favour of Unai Emery’s side.
According to the representative, the former Toffees man’s move to Aston Villa was well advanced. Manchester United then made an approach.
“Aston Villa’s sporting project was crystal clear. It was a project where Amadou could continue to develop. We spoke with the sporting director, and the salary was also attractive, let’s not kid ourselves,” she said.
“The Euros were coming up, Amadou was performing well, and we finalised the deal. Then, Manchester United entered the picture. But I had already given my word to Aston Villa.
“We knew very well that Manchester would be able to offer better financial terms, but we had already given our word to Aston Villa, and the project was a good fit. The style of football played, the club’s ambition: Amadou felt right at home there.”
The midfielder has played 43 matches for Aston Villa, of which nine are from this season.