Carragher warns clubs off signing £50m Everton star - "I don't know what he is!"

Jamie Carragher believes Arsenal and Manchester United would be making a mistake if they were to pursue Everton midfielder Amadou Onana in the summer transfer window.

The Toffees midfielder, 22, has been linked with several of the Premier League's elite in recent months and was the subject of interest from the Gunners in January. It's been widely reported that the Belgium international is valued at around £50million.

Everton's financial issues have been well documented and selling a player of high value, such as Onana, would go a long way to help easing further concerns in the short-term.

While it remains to be seen if any of Onana's high-profile suitors are planning a summer swoop, Carragher stressed that he wouldn't be a good signing for top clubs after Everton's humiliating 6-0 loss against Chelsea on Monday night.

The former Liverpool defender told Sky Sports: “I must say this, Onana is a player who Everton may have to sell with the situation that they find themselves in financially.

“He came in with a huge reputation. Frank Lampard brought him in, he looks the part, did really well I think for Belgium at Wembley and there was talk of him going to other big clubs. I don’t see it. I haven’t since he’s been there.

“I don’t know what he is. Is he a holding midfield player? Does he get forward? Does he get involved? The only thing I have seen him do is try to lift the crowd, that is all I ever see him do when he plays for Everton.”

Onana, who was hauled off at half-time in Monday night's match by manager Sean Dyche, rebuffed interest from Arsenal in the winter transfer window, according to his sister and agent, Melissa.

Speaking back in February, via Sport Witness, she said: “We could have left this winter, but we once again sat down and asked the question whether it’s the right time, if the player is ready. My job is to put opportunities on the table.

“In the end, he’s the one who makes the choice because it’s his life and his career. I put the opportunities on the table and he said ‘No, I want to stay at Everton and I want to continue to fight’.”