11 July 2023 , 23:09
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Erik ten Hag has been handed a boost to his summer transfer plans, with his war chest set to be boosted by the sale of Anthony Elanga.
Elanga first broke into the Manchester United side in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's penultimate season and became a regular feature of the team in the 2021/2022 campaign. But following Ten Hag's arrival at Old Trafford, the attacker found his opportunities diminishing.
He made just seven starts in all competitions in the Dutchman's first season in charge of United. In fact, his last appearance in the Premier League came at the start of March in a five-minute cameo in the record defeat to Liverpool at Anfield.
As a result, he is clearly not in Ten Hag's plans moving forward, with the United boss keen to continue the overhaul of his squad. With Mason Mount through the door, he needs additional funds to fully complete his summer plans.
Erik ten Hag could see his transfer kitty boosted (Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)Part of those funds could come from a sale of Elanga, with the Swedish international already attracting interest. According to FootMercato, Everton are eyeing a move for the 21-year-old as Sean Dyche also bids to improve his squad.
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It is said that faced with increasing competition at Old Trafford, Elanga maybe keen to move on this summer. Though he still has another three years to run on his contract, the Toffees have a long-held interest in him.
That interest has existed since January, but the Goodison Park side are ready to adopt a more 'offensive' approach. They are hopeful that that change in tactics can see a deal for Elanga wrapped up quickly.
HAVE YOUR SAY! Should Manchester United sell Anthony Elanga to Everton? Comment below.
Anthony Elanga is attracting interest from Everton (Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)Elanga himself has made little attempt to hide his frustration at his lack of playing time under Ten Hag. He revealed back in March that he had held talks with Ten Hag and came close to an exit in the winter window.
"It is frustrating. You want to play. It is important. But if you don't play, it's not up to me but up to the coach. There was talk about it [an exit], but right now I'm focusing on United," he told aftonbladet.
"That was in January, now I can't focus on it. The best I can do is focus on the rest of the season, then I get to talk to the club. I love the club, but it's important for me to play. I'm still young.
"We have spoken to the club and they know what is required and I know what is required. I have spoken to Erik and it is private between the two of us. I know what he wants me to do and I can just keep training hard.
"When the opportunity comes, I just have to be ready to take it. We have a lot of dialogue, not only about it but also what is happening around. That's the good thing about the club, we talk a lot and they help me a lot."
Selling Elanga may help to free up funds for Ten Hag, who is pushing to sign Inter Milan keeper Andre Onana after David de Gea's departure. The United boss is also keen to bring in a striker, with Rasmus Hojlund top of his list.