Fabrizio Romana reveals £50m Aston Villa deal details as Everton agreement looks set to hand Manchester United significant transfer blow

On Saturday morning it was reported that Unai Emery had struck a deal with counterpart Sean Dyche over the sale of the Belgian international.

The Athletic’s David Ornstein broke the news by claiming terms on a long-term contract had been agreed by the player, whose enormous transfer fee will fall narrowly short of the £51.9m splashed out last summer on the signing of Moussa Diaby from Bayer Leverkusen.

Onana’s desire to play for the Spaniard, plus a craving for Champions League football was also referenced.

Now transfer specialist Romana has provided further substance to the deal by revealing the 22-year-old will sign a five-year deal at Villa Park once the agreement is completed next week. The Italian added a medical has been booked in, while Everton also insisted on a sell-on clause.

The Toffees bought the midfielder from Lille for £34m in 2022 and stand to make a £16m profit on the player. The inclusion of a sell-on clause means they will increase their profits on Onana further if Villa decide to sell him before the expiry of his deal in 2029.

Onana is seen as a direct replacement for Douglas Luiz, who moved to Juventus at the end of last month. He is the latest player to leave Goodison for the Villans, with winger Lewis Dobbin making the same move last month for an undisclosed fee. Tim Iroegbunam, 20, moved in the opposite direction.

Earlier today, Romana said Barcelona were also keen on Onana. However, it’s claimed they decided against a bid given how close Villa were to striking a deal. He also insisted Barca’s priority this transfer window was Nico Williams, who will play for Spain in Sunday’s Euro 2024 final against England in Berlin.

According to Ornstein, Villa’s move for Onana ‘all-but ends’ Manchester United’s hope of signing Toffees centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite. The Old Trafford club reportedly lodged a renewed bid for the defender on Tuesday woth £45m plus £5m in add ons.