Manchester United remain determined to sign Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest, despite facing competition from Manchester City, according to The Guardian. The club are reportedly prepared to offer a fee in the region of €115million (£100m) for the England midfielder.
United have identified strengthening their midfield as a key priority this summer, with several players under consideration including Aurelien Tchouameni of Real Madrid, Carlos Baleba from Brighton and Hove Albion, and Sandro Tonali of Newcastle United, as reported by The Athletic. Other potential targets include Alex Scott of Bournemouth and Adam Wharton of Crystal Palace. United have already secured a €40.5million (£35m) deal for Atalanta’s Ederson.
Despite City appearing to be in advanced talks with Chelsea regarding the appointment of Enzo Maresca as their new manager, and having already had an opening bid rejected for Anderson, United officials are confident they can still secure the 23-year-old’s signature. BBC Sport understands Anderson is currently considering a move to City.
Anderson has become a prominent figure in the Premier League, playing a vital role in Nottingham Forest’s survival and featuring in England’s World Cup qualifying campaign. The former Newcastle player is versatile, capable of playing as a defensive midfielder for England and a more advanced number eight for Forest. He led the Premier League in ground duels won last season with 231, a statistic that aligns with United’s need for a physically robust midfielder.
Nottingham Forest are reportedly seeking a fee in the range of €133million (£115m) for Anderson, referencing the fee Brighton received from Chelsea for Moises Caicedo in 2023, according to The Telegraph. Anderson is expected to feature in England’s upcoming World Cup fixtures against Croatia, Ghana, and Panama.
United are also monitoring the situation surrounding West Ham United’s Mateus Fernandes, who is valued at €92million (£80m) and has attracted interest from Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain, as reported by The Guardian. Fernandes is available following West Ham’s relegation to the Championship and was a standout performer for the Hammers last season. His arrival would further bolster United’s midfield options.
