Amadou Onana, Unai Emery
(Credit: Imago, Hasim Karim)
Villa News Speaking to Bryan King
Tue 10 June 2025 7:40, UK
Amadou Onana could be sold this summer to alleviate financial worries at Aston Villa.
The Belgian midfielder was an important part of Unai Emery’s side this season, having only joined from Everton less than 12 months ago for £50million.
Failure to qualify for next year’s UEFA Champions League has left Villa licking their wounds as Profit and Sustainability issues and a UEFA settlement payment loom over the West Midlands club.
Emery is keen to strengthen his squad, but could be forced to sell some players to alleviate financial concerns.
Amadou Onana Aston Villa
Onana arrived at Villa from Everton last summer (Credit: Imago)
Al-Hilal show interest in Onana
The Villans’ necessity to settle the accounts has opened the door to plenty of clubs to capitalise on their situation, with even star striker Ollie Watkins at risk of being poached.
As reported by journalist Pieter-Jan Calcoen via X (5 June), Onana has joined the list of potential outgoings as Al-Hilal eye a move for the central midfielder.
Competition Appearances Goals Minutes Played
Premier League 26 3 1,624′
Champions League 5 1 272′
FA Cup 2 1 84′
Carabao Cup 1 – 62′
Onana’s statistics for Villa (2024/25)
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Onana has largely impressed in the middle of the park, though he has been hampered by hamstring and foot injuries throughout the campaign.
The 23-year-old still has four years left on his contract with Villa. Therefore, ex-Villa scout Bryan King – speaking exclusively to Villa News – believes a transfer for Onana would be costly.
“Selling Onana could help relieve some of the financial pressure,” King said.
“Therefore, if the player is happy with the move, then Villa need to consider, and invariably the offers from Saudi Arabia are much more lucrative than the offers you’d get from clubs in Europe.
“For a player who hasn’t been a regular and has suffered with injuries, if clubs from Saudi Arabia are going to come in with a big-money offer, that could help square the books.
“However. Onana has done well in the games he has played, and he still has four years left on his contract.
“As a result, the offer from Saudi would need to be big, perhaps as much as £90m, and that is, as I say, an offer Villa would need to consider. However, it is whether Onana wants to go and play in a league where the standard isn’t great.”
Onana sale would prove costly to Villa
Villa’s situation is less than ideal and needs immediate remedial action, but a sale of Onana could be the start of a vicious cycle.
The Belgium international has shown that, when he stays fit, he is a massive asset to Emery’s side and gives the midfield some much-needed physicality and defensive cover.
Only two clubs in the top half conceded more than Villa, and if they were to lose their best shield in front of their defence, the Claret and Blues would be less likely to succeed next season, plunging them deeper into problems.
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