The Gunners are understood to have contacted the Blues about the midfielder’s availability on Friday – the same day United tabled an opening bid for Brathwaite viewed as derisory. Mikel Arleta has long admired Onawa and his next step could define a pivotal summer for Everton.
The transfer window opened with a bang at Finch Farm as Man United and Arsenal made overtures for two of the club’s most prized talents. Their interest in Brathwaite and Onawa respectively has been little secret but the extent to which either club is prepared to push for each player remains unknown.
The coming days will now be crucial to both their chances of landing a target well in advance of pre-season. Premier League clubs are currently building up to the end of the month, which will mark the conclusion of the current football financial year. It means clubs that are concerned about their proximity to the three-year loss threshold of £105m, set by the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Regulations, are working toward improving their positions before the end of June. As many as six top flight clubs are thought to be in danger of breaching the rules that saw Everton handed two points deductions last season, with Nottingham Forest also sanctioned.
The Blues are thought to be among the clubs whose position would be strengthened if a sale was to be completed in advance of the deadline. The club’s calculations have been hindered by the failure to resolve an outstanding dispute over the manner in which interest on loans said to have been for the new stadium development were accounted for, however, a point that could be a compelling mitigating factor should there be allegations of a third breach by Everton. That argument was deferred by the commission that considered the second case against the club, earlier this year.
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