Nottingham Forest are working on a deal to sign Manchester United star Anthony Elanga. The Reds are ramping up their efforts to sign new players and the Sweden international is now on the radar.
According to Charlotte Duncker from The Times, the Reds are now working to sign Elanga in the coming weeks. The player could be allowed to move on from the Red Devils as he goes in search of regular football.
The rapid winger signed for United from Malmo back in 2014. Since then he’s been working his way through the academy ranks at Old Trafford but has found game time hard to come by.
He has made 55 appearances at first-team level, scoring four goals and claiming four assists. During the 2022/23 campaign, however, he played 26 times, without scoring a single goal.
Arguably the best thing about Elanga would be his ability to play in a number of positions. During his time with United, he’s played on both flanks and through the middle as an out-and-out striker
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Elanga has made 12 appearances for the Sweden national team and Zlatan Ibrahimovic has previously praised him. He called him a ‘great talent’ and appeared delighted that he was performing on the international stage.
Forest working on deal to sign Elanga
The talented youngster would certainly be an interesting signing. United might be willing to let him leave this summer and the Reds have already been linked with Dean Henderson and Donny van de Beek too.
Elanga might have a future at Old Trafford. Perhaps Erik ten Hag will want to keep him around, whilst the player might not actually hold a desire to walk away from Old Trafford just yet.
The player still has three years left on his current deal, with United holding the option for an extra year. Interestingly, the player also has the same agent as Morgan Gibbs-White.
Rumour rating: 5/10 – It’s perhaps one of those deals where the jury will remain out until he’s kicked a ball for the Reds. Ultimately, it’s hard to imagine him being an upgrade on the current attackers from the outset.
Elanga does fit the profile of a Steve Cooper signing, however. He’s young, has bags of potential and ultimately his versatility would allow the team to play a number of different styles.
We’re never ones for writing players off before they’ve kicked a ball. However, it’s fair to say that the signing of the Manchester United talent could go either way.