Arsenal are reportedly interested in a January move for Everton midfielder Amadou Onana.

The Gunners spent big on Declan Rice over the summer, but midfield is seemingly still an area where head coach Mikel Arteta is looking to improve in order to take the team to the next level.

Arsenal continue to be linked with Aston Villa's Douglas Luiz amid the uncertainty surrounding the long-term futures of Thomas Partey and Jorginho.

However, according to Fichajes, Onana is now emerging as the London club's leading target for the January transfer window, with Arteta said to be a huge admirer of the 22-year-old.

Onana made the move to Everton from Lille in August 2022, and he has represented the Toffees on 52 occasions, scoring three goals and registering three assists in the process.

Everton are said to value the midfielder in the region of £60m, and there is also thought to be interest from Manchester United and Barcelona in the Belgium international.

Onana was recently on the sidelines with a calf issue, but he made his return in Everton's 2-0 win over Chelsea on December 10 before scoring in the 2-0 success at Burnley last weekend.

An excellent run of form has seen Sean Dyche's side win seven of their last 10 Premier League matches, although their 10-point deduction for breaking financial rules has left them in 16th spot in the table.

Arsenal, on the other hand, are top of the division, boasting 39 points from their 17 matches ahead of Saturday's huge contest with second-placed Liverpool at Anfield.

Earlier this year, Everton boss Dyche said that Onana could become a similar player to the legendary Bryan Robson.

"I think with his physicality, driving into the box is a real good weapon. He's a powerful boy, he will head it and he's got an eye for it but then you've got to arrive in the box more," he told reporters at the time.

"You've got to educate him on the runs into the box, his physical needs and capabilities, work on that to give him the chance to do that just on the physical nature. Demanding that you get in the box but the game of course works both ways.

"Bryan Robson had an amazing engine, because he'd just keep getting in the box and he'd still run back, he'd still defend, he'd still do his midfield work but he could drive in the box. I'm a bit old now, looking at that, but I can see that in Ama to add to what he already is."

Despite the interest, Everton are in a strong position when it comes to the midfielder's future, as he has a contract at Goodison Park until June 2027. body check tags ::