Everton favourites to land Manchester United man with bargain price tag

The Toffees are in talks over a potential switch

July 12, 2023 at 10:45 pm GMT+1

Everton have emerged as early favourites to sign Manchester United forward Anthony Elanga, who is valued at £10m by his current club.

The Toffees are looking to add more goals and Premier League quality to their ranks after avoiding relegation in the final week of the season for the second straight campaign.

They have already agreed a deal to sign Ashley Young, with the ex-Manchester United veteran having been a free agent after being released by Aston Villa, while they are also thought to be keen on a move for El-Bilal Toure, a 20-year-old striker with a 40m euro release clause.

Crystal Palace v Aston Villa - Premier League LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 27: Aston Villa's Ashley Young during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Aston Villa at Selhurst Park on November 27, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Rob Newell - CameraSport via Getty Images)

Now, as per Fabrizio Romano, Sean Dyche’s side are locked in talks with Manchester United over Swede Elanga, who was highly-favoured by Ralf Rangnick but was sidelined for much of Erik Ten Hag’s first season in charge and is deemed surplus to requirements following the emergence of Alejandro Garnacho on the left hand side.

The Toffees are one of ‘many clubs’ interested in Elanga, who has 55 Manchester United appearances to his name while still only being 21-years-old,and ‘negotiations are taking place’ over a potential move to Merseyside.

Anthony Elanga #36 of Manchester United celebrates his goal to make it 2-4 2HPC7H3 Anthony Elanga #36 of Manchester United celebrates his goal to make it 2-4 (Alamy Stock Photo)

Reports in Italy are also claiming that the Toffees are looking to solve their goalscoring woes with a £19m move for Leeds United talent Wilfried Gnonto, who like Elanga can play on either flank.

While Everton are the frontrunners for his signature, the same report claims that Aston Villa are “in the background” after missing out on free agent Marco Asensio, who opted for a move to Paris Saint Germain.

There are still question marks over the financial ongoings at the club, with Everton currently under investigation for breaching the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules, and it could yet be that outgoings will be required to balance the books later in the transfer window.