Amadou Onana has revealed why he turned down a move to West Ham United in favour of signing for Everton back in the summer of 2022. In an interview with Inside Scoop, the midfielder pointed to then-Everton manager Frank Lampard as the decisive factor.

“When I say every day, it was like two, three times a day,” Onana said. “Frank Lampard is calling my phone? This is crazy. Obviously, it’s hard to say no to him. As a midfielder, I knew I could learn a lot from him. I had to give in.”

West Ham Were in the Race

According to Everton.news, both West Ham and Everton were serious contenders for Onana’s signature at the time. On August 3, 2022, Sky Sports reported that West Ham had agreed a deal with Lille worth around €40 million including add-ons. But despite that, Onana opted to join Everton in a deal worth £33.5 million.

Lampard’s influence appears to have been the key. With his legendary status as a former England and Chelsea midfielder, he clearly appealed to a young talent aiming to develop in the same role. Onana was just 20 at the time and considered one of Europe’s most promising midfielders.

Two Years Later: Villa Move and PSR Pressure

Fast forward two seasons, and Onana made another big switch—this time to Aston Villa for a fee of £50 million. His start at Villa Park has been hampered by injuries, but Everton.news reports that Everton included a sell-on clause in the deal, meaning they could benefit financially if he’s sold again.

With Villa now facing Profitability and Sustainability Rule (PSR) pressures, rumours of player sales have surfaced. Onana’s name has once again appeared in the conversation—and given West Ham’s long-standing interest and his continued development in the Premier League, it wouldn’t be a surprise if the Hammers are keeping a close eye on what happens next.