In a dramatic summer transfer saga, Aston Villa successfully fought off a last-minute attempt from Manchester United to secure the signature of highly-rated midfielder Amadou Onana.
The Late Transfer Hijack Attempt
According to revelations from the player's sister and agent, Melissa Onana, a deal for the Belgian international to move to Villa Park was already at an advanced stage when Manchester United made a focused effort to hijack the transfer in the 2024 summer window. The late intervention from the Old Trafford club, however, proved unsuccessful.
The key factor in Onana's decision was the compelling vision laid out by Aston Villa. In an interview for the TV show En Off with Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri, his agent explained that Unai Emery's project was "crystal clear" and presented an environment where the defensive midfielder could continue his development.
Why Villa Park Was Chosen Over Old Trafford
Despite acknowledging that Manchester United could have offered a more lucrative financial package, the Onana camp had already committed to Aston Villa. The club's sporting director, attractive salary, and the style of football were all cited as major influences.
"We had already given our word to Aston Villa, and the project was a good fit," Melissa Onana stated. "The style of football played, the club’s ambition: Amadou felt right at home there." This sense of belonging and a clear sporting pathway ultimately outweighed the allure of a bigger financial offer from Manchester United.
Onana's Impact at Villa Park
Since completing his move, Amadou Onana has begun to make his mark in claret and blue. The midfielder has made seven Premier League appearances for Villa so far this season.
He scored his first goal of the campaign in a resounding 4-0 victory over Bournemouth at Villa Park, a result that helped propel Unai Emery's side up to sixth in the Premier League table, vindicating the player's decision to join the club's ambitious project.
