Manchester United tried to hijack a £50 million Premier League transfer before it was confirmed, reports claim.
In the first summer transfer window under Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS, United have been extremely busy in the market.
The club have brought in both Joshua Zirkzee and Leny Yoro as part of a summer rebuild, while reports say they are pressing forward with a move for Paris Saint-Germain's Manuel Ugarte.
But at the same time, it's been claimed that United tried to make a last minute attempt to stop Amadou Onana from going to Aston Villa.
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The midfielder is heading to Unai Emery's side from Everton and is expected to undergo his medical this weekend.
Villa, who will play in the Champions League next season, beat the likes of Arsenal, Barcelona and Bayern Munich to secure his services.
However, Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri says that United tried to snatch Onana from Villa's clutches.
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The Red Devils are believed to have offered the same fee as Villa but with a better financial package.
But the Belgium international had already committed to joining Villa and did not wish to go back on his word.
Villa are paying £45 million for Onana, with an extra £5 million in add-ons. Everton will also receive 10 per cent of any future transfer involving the 22-year-old.
Onana has been on holiday following on from his participation at Euro 2024 with Belgium but is due to fly in to Birmingham to get the deal done.
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If medical exams are passed without any problems, the move is set to be completed by Sunday and could be officially announced by the start of next week.
Onana is poised to pen a five-year deal and comes in following the departure of Douglas Luiz to Everton.
Everton paid £33 million for Onana in 2022 and he went on to make 72 appearances across two seasons.
Topics: Manchester United, Aston Villa, Premier League, Everton
Josh Lawless