'I'd have taken a car' - Sean Dyche gives blunt response to Arnaut Danjuma Everton transfer question
Arnaut Danjuma and Amadou Onana have both been linked with moves away from Everton
Sean Dyche has dismissed the speculation linking both Arnaut Danjuma and Amadou Onana with moves away from Everton this month.
The ECHO reported on Thursday morning that Danjuma, who joined the Blues on loan for the season in the summer, is wanted by Olympique Lyonnais, and has grown frustrated with his lack of playing time during the first-half of the season at Goodison Park.
The Ligue 1 club have already agreed a deal in principle with Villarreal CF for the 26-year-old, while it is also believed that personal terms between Danjuma and Lyon would not be a problem.
Danjuma also posted a picture of himself on a plane on Instagram on Thursday night, with the post just fuelling the speculation among supporters that a move away from Merseyside looked set to be on the cards.
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However, when asked about the prospect of Danjuma departing on Friday, Dyche replied: "The situation is very simple; he’s an Everton player.
“He's been playing and there's a fair chance of playing in the next one too. There isn’t really a story. He's an Everton player and he will be part of what we do."
Asked about Danjuma's picture on a plane, Dyche jokingly replied: "I had a word with him as it seemed excessive to be going from Manchester to Liverpool by plane.
"I'd have taken a car, but modern players need to look after themselves. He’s said nothing other than he wants to work hard and play."
Another member of Everton’s squad who has been linked with a move away this month is Amadou Onana. The ECHO understands that both Arsenal and Manchester United retain an interest in the midfielder.
A report from Belgium earlier this week claimed that Mikel Arteta’s side had opened talks with the Blues over a deal for the 22-year-old, who only signed for Everton from LOSC Lille for a fee of £33.5million 18 months ago.
"He's been heavily linked before I was here and after I've been here,” Dyche said when asked about the speculation about Onana’s future.
“It's just another story. At the end of the day, he's an Everton player. Any decisions we take on players will be us who decide them.
"We're in a position to do the best we can with the team we've got. We're in a position if the right deal came along - unlikely in January, you've seen how quiet it is anyway. We're certainly thinking about players going out of the building."