Ten Hag orders Man Utd board to sign Everton standout who’ll push homegrown star to Newcastle
A second source have confirmed Erik ten Hag is gunning for an Everton player who’d add a key quality be believes his Man Utd side lack, per reports.
Man Utd’s number one priority in the transfer market this summer is signing an elite-level centre-forward. However, once that piece of business is taken care of, moves for a midfielder and attacking upgrade at right-back will come into focus.
Regarding the midfield hunt, the Guardian recently reported Ten Hag is seeking a player who’ll add physicality to his ranks.
Signing Chelsea’s Mateo Kovacic who the Blues are poised to cash in on was floated in the piece. However, aged 29, Kovacic would be yet another ageing pair of legs in a midfield that already contains three players the wrong side of 30 (Casemiro, Christian Eriksen, Fred).
Instead, TEAMtalk recently learned Everton’s Amadou Onana is in Ten Hag’s crosshairs.
Indeed, we were told Man Utd have been impressed with the Belgium international this term, with Onana one of very few bright sparks in a campaign of doom and gloom at Goodison Park.
The 21-year-old was a £33m signing from Lille last summer and has more than justified his price tag. However, Onana could be a one and done with the Toffees, especially if they’re relegated to the Championship.
Now, a fresh update from Football Insider has echoed our claims. The online outlet take the story a step further, stating Ten Hag has ‘given the green light to the United board to get a deal done’.
FI also back up the Guardian’s suggestion Ten Hag is craving extra physicality in the centre of the pitch. Few in the Premier League can match Onana when it comes to strength and aggression in the tackle.
No transfer valuation was cited in the piece. However, that should not come as a surprise given how much Everton can command will hinge greatly on if they’re relegated. If they go down, their bargaining position will be far weaker.
Onana could push Man Utd star to Newcastle
If Onana were signed and a rumoured permanent move for Marcel Sabitzer also sanctioned, Ten Hag’s midfield corps would consist of Casemiro, Eriksen, Fred, Scott McTominay, Donny van de Beek, Onana and Sabitzer.
Seven into two don’t go and widespread reports have suggested McTominay could make way. Van de Beek is also on the chopping block, though is a relative non-factor at Old Trafford these days anyway.
The Manchester Evening News claimed McTominay, 26, could depart if suitable offers of around £30m are lodged.
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe is a keen admirer of McTominay’s athleticism and ball-carrying ability, per the Athletic.
Howe reportedly envisions deploying McTominay as the holding midfielder in his three-man midfield that would then allow Bruno Guimaraes to assume more of a box-to-box role.
Football Insider recently claimed Newcastle are ‘pushing ahead’ with a move for McTominay who is ‘set to leave’ Old Trafford.
If Man Utd succeed in luring Onana away from Everton, Newcastle will likely get the greenlight to sign McTominay.
