Everton are now over a year on from selling Amadou Onana to Aston Villa, but his agent is still discussing the move away from Merseyside.
Over recent years, a number of big-money sales were forced on Everton to balance the books against their struggles with PSR.
Under the Friedkins, the finances are not proving to be an issue, with much greater financial stability brought to the club last year.
Earlier in the year, Onana shared why he joined Everton over West Ham United back in 2022 when he made the move to England.
His time on Merseyside was only short-lived as Everton cashed in for a handsome £50m in 2024 as they battled the Premier League’s financial regulations.
Onana’s time on Merseyside may now be a distant memory, but the midfielder’s agent has now shared the real reason behind why he chose to leave for Aston Villa.
Aston Villa v Bournemouth - Premier League
Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images
Amadou Onana’s reason for leaving Everton made clear
Since leaving the Blues, Onana has spoken very highly of Everton and the fans as he waxed lyrical about his time playing at Goodison Park.
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The Belgian midfielder missed the trip to the Hill Dickinson Stadium earlier this season through injury, though.
In a recent interview with journalist Sacha Tavolieri, Onana’s agent – and sister – Melissa Onana discussed the midfielder’s move away from Merseyside.
“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 told the Belgian journalist.
“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.”
Micah Richards has praised Onana since departing Everton, where he has been able to shine on the European stage.
It was interesting to hear his agent share how attractive Villa’s financial proposal proved to be despite the interest from Manchester United.
What would have been interesting is to know how interest from United could have potentially bolstered Everton’s position in negotiations.
Onana has seriously impressed since leaving Everton
At the weekend, the Belgian was able to get his name on the scoresheet for Villa as they tore an in-form Bournemouth apart.
71 minutes played
1 goal
1/1 dribbles completed
3/3 tackles won
4 clearances
2 recoveries
Troy Deeney was full of praise for the former Everton midfielder, who managed to get his name on the scoresheet.
“A massive 4-0 performance from Aston Villa against a very good Bournemouth side and he was at the heart of it. Breaking things up, gliding through the midfield with those big powerful legs. Gets himself on the scoresheet as well,” he said.
Onana still holds a strong relationship with Idrissa Gana Gueye after the pair formed an even stronger bond on the pitch at Goodison Park.
With Tim Iroegbunam coming into the side on Saturday, David Moyes will surely wish he had a player like Onana at his disposal to partner Gueye.