Manchester United have brought their pursuit of Bologna striker Marko Arnautovic to an end on Tuesday, while Lille midfielder Amadou Onana completed a £33 million move to Everton (United 11/4 to finish in the top four – outright).
News of the Red Devils’ tracking of the 33-year-old Austrian international was reportedly derided by sections of the club support, with new manager Erik ten Hag talking of a move for the Bologna forward in the wake of United’s 2-1 loss at home to Brighton on Saturday.
Ten Hag faced a selection headache in attack ahead of his Premier League opener, with striker Anthony Martial ruled out with a hamstring issue, and Cristiano Ronaldo initially benched, lacking match fitness after a short pre-season.
New arrival Christian Eriksen was left to feature in a false nine role as a Pascal Gross double consigned the hosts to defeat.
Another manager left pondering his options following injuries to key players is Everton’s (Everton 11/4 to be relegated – outright), Frank Lampard.
The absence of Dominic Calvert-Lewin for the coming month with a knee injury leaves the Toffees short of attacking options following Richarlison’s departure to Tottenham. Still, the 20-year-old Belgian international’s arrival serves to shore up the midfield at Goodison Park.
Onana, who opted for Everton over West Ham after the London club also agreed a fee with the Ligue 1 outfit, cited his respect for his new boss as a major motivator for the move.
He told reporters: “The manager played at the highest level, won many things and was a midfielder too. It means a lot to have interest from him, and I think he can teach me many things.”
Lampard’s former club Chelsea are expected to make a loss on forward Timo Werner, with the German seemingly set to re-join RB Leipzig. The striker, pictured arriving in Leipzig for a medical on Monday, came to Stamford Bridge in 2020 for £45 million but is expected to leave for around £25m.
Elsewhere in London, Fulham have agreed a £15 million deal for West Ham defender Issa Diop, while Leeds United strengthened their goalkeeping options with the acquisition of Joel Robles on a free transfer. Robles, an FA Cup winner with Wigan in 2013, left Real Betis at the end of last season.
