Manchester United have been linked with a surprise move for free agent winger Anwar El Ghazi.
Only at Manchester United. After spending £73 million on Jadon Sancho and even more on Antony, the Red Devils are now reportedly looking at a free agent.
The Mail report United are looking at Anwar El Ghazi, formerly of Aston Villa. His deal at PSV Eindhoven was cancelled by mutual consent last week.
This comes amid Jadon Sancho’s fallout with Erik ten Hag, and Antony currently on a hiatus due to personal issues.
READ: Confirmed Manchester United transfers in, out, loans, releases, youth for 2023/24
The Anwar El Ghazi connection
It has become a running theme among Erik ten Hag’s signings at Manchester United that he signs players he knows, either from managing them previously, or some previous connection, even managing against them. And considering the issues he has had with Sancho, there is good reason for this.
There is almost always a connection, and of course El Ghazi’s time at PSV means Ten Hag will be plugged in with his most recent spell there, in which he scored nine goals in 33 games.
El Ghazi, 28, actually began his career back at Ajax too. However, he was sold in January 2017, with Ten Hag hired in December 2017.
MORE UNITED STORIES
Steve McClaren wanted him
El Ghazi made an early impression at Ajax, making his Eredivisie debut at 19 in 2014 under Frank de Boer. He was called up to the Netherlands international squad in 2015, although has only made two appearances.
It was in 2015 he attracted the attention of current Manchester United assistant manager Steve McClaren, who wanted him at Newcaste.
The Telegraph reported El Ghazi was a ‘chief target’ for McClaren, who had personally backed a move.
However, the funds were not forthcoming, and Newcastle were unable to do a deal. El Ghazi remained at Ajax until 2017, before moving to Lille. Two years later he signed with Aston Villa.
Now at Manchester United in 2023, El Ghazi is now emerging as an unpredictable free agent option. McClaren could get his man after all.