Erik ten Hag, after replacing Xabi Alonso at Bayer Leverkusen, is back in the world of management after seven months away – and reports are now suggesting that he’s looking to raid his former side, Manchester United, for two players this summer.
The Dutchman was in charge at Old Trafford between July 2022 and October 2024 and won silverware – the League Cup and the FA Cup – in back-to-back campaigns. It wasn’t enough for Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his team, however, and he was given the boot.
Lisbon-born Ruben Amorim replaced him in the Manchester United dugout – but now, he’s looking to re-find his feet in Germany and, in doing so, he’s expected to shop in the Old Trafford window once the summer transfer window swings open in early June.
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Upon being appointed by the Bundesliga side, Ten Hag said: “I’ve come to Leverkusen to continue with the ambition in recent years. It’s an attractive challenge to set up something together in this period of change and develop an ambitious team.”
And that could prove to be true as, according to a report from German publication Kicker, Haaksbergen-born Ten Hag is considering moves for Alejandro Garnacho, 20, and Antony, 25, after a potential summer of losing big names.
That includes the likes of Liverpool-bound Jeremie Frimpong and Florian Wirtz, who has reportedly snubbed Pep Guardiola's Manchester City to join Slot and his entourage on the red half of Merseyside, who would rake in north of £150 million between them.
After Leverkusen finished second in the German top flight in 2024/25, the 55-year-old tactician – regarded as one of the best Dutch managers in Premier League history – will be looking to reinvest the money from departures back into his squad.
Garnacho appears increasingly likely to leave his Premier League employers this summer following a reported fall-out, following his limited minutes in their recent Europa League defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, with Amorim.
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Reportedly, the Portuguese head honcho delivered a 12-word tirade at Carrington – “You better pray that you can find a club to sign you.” – in the heat of the moment and all fingers now point towards a summer exit after 144 games of service.
At his best, the Argentine winger is unstoppable – but his form has become too inconsistent for the Old Trafford faithful. By Leverkusen, he is viewed as an ‘absolute top solution’ and a player who is in a ‘very moderate range’ salary wise.
In terms of Antony, the winger is being discussed internally by Die Werkself following an impressive six-month loan stint at Real Betis. Signed for a fee in the region of £86 million by Ten Hag at Old Trafford, life in Manchester has been tough for the Brazilian.
Managing just 12 goals and five assists in 94 outings for the Red Devils, this summer could mark the end of his three-season stay at the Theatre of Dreams. His resurgence in Spain has, however, boosted his stocks ahead of an all-crucial summer.