Everton to cough out £5.5m for Onazi.

Everton are expected to produce €5.5m if they are to get Super Eagles midfielder Ogenyi Onazi from Serie A club Lazio. The Toffees are reportedly close to concluding talks on the 20-year-old. According to Mercato, Everton have already contacted Lazio regarding the Nigerian midfield international who has played nine times for Nigeria. Onazi is far from a regular for Lazio, he has made just five appearances for the club in Serie A games, but he has been a regular for them in their Europa League campaign. With South African Daylon Claessen already on trial at Goodison Park and transfer rumours linking Everton with a summer move for Real Betis midfielder Juan Carlos in the summer, the possibility of the Africa Cup of Nations hero going to England is not being ruled out. Meanwhile, Newcastle are hopeful of fending off interest from Arsenal to secure a summer deal for Nigeria international Godfrey Oboabona. The 23-year-old is desperate to leave current club Sunshine Stars at the end of the season, and his agent has been actively offering him around European clubs. Oboabona already has a number of potential suitors, but was expected to undergo a trial with Arsenal last month in a bid to try and win a contract with his boyhood club. The Gunners eventually decided against offering him a deal – yet have maintained their presence at his matches and continue to monitor his progress. Lille and Rennes from the French league are known to have approached the defender, who can play centre back or in midfield, but it’s thought that Newcastle are now the front runners for his signature. Magpies manager Alan Pardew is desperate to add to his defensive options in the summer with a reported £1m on the cards. Oboabona has 16 caps for Nigeria and Newcastle know they face a battle with the Home Office in order to secure a work permit to wrap up the transfer.