Manchester United have been urged by Ian Wright to make a significant move for Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson, with the former Arsenal striker believing the 23-year-old would be a valuable addition to Old Trafford. The call comes as United, now under the ownership of INEOS, are linked with a summer pursuit of the England international.
According to TEAMtalk’s Fraser Fletcher, Manchester United’s interest in Anderson dates back to April 9th, with a potential transfer window targeted for the summer of 2026. However, competition for Anderson’s signature is expected to be fierce, with Manchester City also reportedly monitoring the situation. Forest’s co-owners would reportedly demand a fee of at least £100 million for the former Newcastle United player.
Wright highlighted Anderson’s qualities on The Overlap’s Stick to Football podcast, suggesting United should prioritize securing his signature, especially given interest from rivals Manchester City. He emphasized the need for United to be decisive in acquiring players who can fill long-standing midfield deficiencies. Wright also advocated for the signing of Forest’s Ibrahim Sangare, praising the Ivorian’s physicality and believing he could improve Michael Carrick’s side.
While Wright is keen for United to spend big on Anderson, club legend Roy Keane has cautioned against exceeding a fee of £70-80 million. Keane acknowledged Anderson’s potential but expressed reservations about paying significantly higher sums, referencing the £100 million-plus price tags attached to other players. This difference in valuation suggests potential internal debate within the club regarding the appropriate investment for the midfielder. A successful acquisition of Anderson could bolster United’s midfield options and provide competition for existing players, aligning with INEOS’s ambition to rebuild the squad.
