Arsenal pursuit of Magpies midfielder might complicate Everton Onana sale
Today though comes rumours that Arsenal are considering a move for Newcastle United's Brazilian international midfielder Bruno Guimaraes and that could complicate things for Everton.
Since the end of last season it has been clear that Onana will be available for sale and that the Toffees would be far keener to offload the Belgian than let Jarrad Branthwaite leave the club.
Arsenal have been the most likely destination for Onana were he to depart the North West and they seemed to be closing in on a possible deal for the 21-year-old who joined the Blues in summer 2022.
And Onana - who is over in Germany playing for his country at the Euros - had made statements strongly suggesting he was using the tournament to showcase himself and get a big money move elsewhere this summer.
However, if the Gunners are now ready to move for Guimaraes they may not wish to pursue a deal for Onana.
At any rate the Brazilian ticks most of the same boxes (although he isn't quite as strong defensively) and is certainly a fine player who would be a good addition to Arsenal's midfield, ideally complimenting England's Declan Rice.
Where might such a move as that leave the Blues, and could a transfer deal for Onana now fall through?
It is possible the North London club want both players, and indeed if not, other clubs could still step in and try to sign him.
But that is far from certain and if the Gunners were to switch attention from the Belgian, that might complicate things for the Toffees transfer strategy.
We all know that the current Premier League financial year finishes at the end of this month and if the Blues are significantly over the £105 million ceiling for debt over the previous three-year cycle, another PSR breach and points deduction is on the cards.
There are funds in the pipeline which do give Everton some wriggle room, but it would appear from the outside that selling Onana quickly was a key part of the club's strategy for trying to avoid another breach.
If a deal for the former Lille player cannot be done in time, then possibly that might mean a sale of Branthwaite could be back on the table again.
Recently, Manchester United allegedly made a derisory bid of around £35 million for the England star, one which the Blues correctly rejected outright.
Since then rumours about Branthwaite and United have gone cold indicating the Old Trafford club have perhaps moved on to other targets.
All this could be solved were American billionaire Dan Friedkin to complete his proposed takeover quickly but there is obviously no guarantee that can be done soon.
What does seem sure for now anyway, is that the confusion and uncertainty that surrounds this football club both on and off the pitch is likely to continue for a while yet.