Manchester United ‘Considering’ Move to Re-Sign £50m Forward – Report | OneFootball

Man Utd Eye Surprise Reunion with Anthony Elanga – Is It a Masterstroke or a Mistake?

Manchester United’s transfer history has not been shy about looking backwards to move forwards. In recent years, the club has welcomed back big names like Paul Pogba and Cristiano Ronaldo, with varying degrees of success. Now, according to a report from Caught Offside, another former Red Devil could be on the verge of a sensational return: Anthony Elanga.

The 22-year-old winger, currently enjoying a strong campaign with Nottingham Forest, has caught the eye of multiple Premier League giants including Chelsea, Arsenal, and Tottenham. However, United’s reported interest brings a compelling narrative full circle.

As Caught Offside reports: “It’s claimed Anthony Elanga – who Man Utd sold to Nottingham Forest for £15m in 2023 – is on their shortlist.”

Elanga has emerged as one of Forest’s standout performers, racking up 14 goal contributions in the Premier League this season. His explosive pace and improved final product have made him a consistent threat and a player whose development since leaving Old Trafford has been remarkable.

Elanga’s Price Tag: A Significant Barrier

While Elanga’s return would certainly excite sections of the United faithful, it won’t come cheap. Forest are under no pressure to sell, especially under the stewardship of Evangelos Marinakis, whose ambition is well documented.

Caught Offside reveals: “Newcastle tabled a sizeable £50m bid for Elanga on deadline day of the 2024 summer window. But under ambitious owner, Evangelos Marinakis, Forest said no.”

Photo: IMAGO

That rejection sends a clear message: Forest value Elanga highly and won’t entertain cut-price offers. While Caught Offside hints that a bid of “just £42m” could tempt the Midlands club, it’s more likely that any deal would need to exceed the £50m mark—more than triple what United received for him just last year.

This raises a pivotal question for United: is this just another Pogba-like repurchase at an inflated rate, or is it a smart investment in a maturing talent with unfinished business at the Theatre of Dreams?

United’s Recruitment Policy Under Scrutiny

Bringing back a player they once deemed surplus to requirements would continue a curious pattern in United’s recruitment strategy. Jonny Evans’ return was largely viewed as a temporary measure due to injuries, yet he’s provided invaluable experience this term. Pogba’s comeback in 2016 turned into a saga filled with inconsistency, while Ronaldo’s explosive second act ended in controversy.

Elanga’s situation feels different—more about untapped potential than romantic reunions. At just 22, his best years are arguably ahead of him. The Swedish international already possesses the kind of blistering pace and verticality that United’s attack sorely lacks at times.

Could this be the rare case of a young player benefitting from time away, only to return sharper, wiser, and ready to contribute at a higher level?

Premier League Rivals Watching Closely

United aren’t the only ones circling. Arsenal, Chelsea and Spurs are all said to be “taking a close look at the attacker,” as per Caught Offside. This could create a bidding war, further complicating United’s pursuit.

Forest will no doubt capitalise on this competition, using it as leverage to drive the price even higher. United’s new footballing hierarchy, still in flux amid changes behind the scenes, will need to weigh up whether sentiment should play any role in such a financially significant decision.

One thing is certain: Elanga’s growth has made people sit up and take notice. Whether United will act decisively—or let another opportunity slip through their fingers—remains to be seen.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

From a Manchester United fan’s perspective, this potential move provokes a blend of intrigue and hesitation. Elanga was always seen as a talent with pace and purpose, but maybe lacking end product during his first stint at Old Trafford. Now, with 14 Premier League goal contributions this season, he appears to have turned that corner.

United have often been accused of letting young talents go too soon—Michael Keane, Danny Welbeck, and even Wilfried Zaha spring to mind. Bringing Elanga back, especially after he’s demonstrated he can thrive at this level, feels like a potential correction of a past misjudgement.

However, the financial side of the deal can’t be ignored. Paying upwards of £50m for a player they sold for £15m just 12 months ago smacks of poor planning. It begs a deeper question: why wasn’t he given more time at United in the first place, particularly in a season when wingers like Antony and Sancho have underwhelmed?

If Elanga returns and flourishes, United will be seen as shrewd. If he falters, the critics will be quick to lump this in with their long list of recruitment missteps. Either way, fans will be watching closely—and probably hoping sentiment doesn’t trump sense.