Everton might have made an emphatic breakthrough in their pursuit of offensive reinforcements to get the club back on track, according to exciting reports…

What’s the word?

Everton are one point off the relegation zone, battered and bruised down in 17th place, and with just 12 goals from 16 appearances in the top flight this term, something needs to change up front.

And now, according to The Daily Mail, the Toffees have identified 20-year-old Manchester United winger Anthony Elanga as an addition that could magnificently bolster the frontal efforts.

Elanga is understood to be disconcerted at United following a lack of first-team opportunities and might look to depart the club on loan for the remainder of the campaign.

This could play into Toffees manager Frank Lampard’s hands with great effect, with the Merseyside outfit earning an exciting prospect to ply their trade at Goodison Park and a potential opportunity to forge a permanent deal in the future. 

“Great talent”

Elanga burst onto the scene with the Red Devils last year, scoring two goals and registering two assists in the Premier League after earning his shot in the latter stages and scoring against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League round of 16.

This season, however, Elanga has found opportunities harder to come by, starting only six times across all competitions and registering one assist as his solitary contribution in the final third.

The £22m-rated Swede will certainly be disgruntled by the lack of action and success on the pitch since the turn of the football season, and at Everton, his fortunes could change.

Demarai Gray, Anthony Gordon, and Dwight McNeil - Everton's three starring wide players - have all failed to clinch more than three goals this term, with the 376-minutes-per-goal Gordon the fastest striking rate.

Elanga, while not finding the net this term, has already demonstrated an aptitude for finding the net, and at just 20 years old he could nurture his skill set in a more central role at Goodison, slowly integrating into the squad and proving a new dimension to the attack.

With Everton attempting to ward off the threat of relegation, Elanga's defensive metrics will do little to deter Lampard; as per FBref, the ace ranks within the top 22% for tackles and 24% for blocks, while also ranking within the top 9% for aerials won, when compared to positional peers across Europe's big five leagues this past year.

Once hailed as a "great talent" by his legendary Swedish compatriot Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Elanga will undoubtedly rue Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag's decision to push him closer to the periphery, but a move to Everton could erect the perfect platform to kickstart a very promising career.