Manchester United remain intent on signing Elliot Anderson and believe they can beat Manchester City to the Nottingham Forest midfielder after City’s £80m bid was rejected. Forest value Anderson at about £100m, and the contest for him has already moved from interest to a direct battle between the two clubs.
That is why man city transfer news is drawing so much attention today. Anderson, 23, is expected to start for England against Croatia on 17 June, which only raises the stakes around a player whose next move could come with a fee close to nine figures and wages far above his current £100,000-a-week deal at Forest.
United’s confidence is being driven by more than wishful thinking. The club have already agreed a €40.5m deal with Atalanta for Éderson, the 26-year-old Brazil midfielder, and they expect him to be on about £70,000 a week at Old Trafford. Anderson would cost far more, but he could also expect a 50% wage rise if he chose either Manchester club.
The problem for United is that City are still considered favourites. Their first offer has already been knocked back, yet the rejection has not ended the pursuit and has not convinced United that the race is closed. Anderson is under contract at Forest until June 2029, which gives the Midlands club the leverage to keep pushing the price higher if another bid comes in.
United are not treating Anderson as their only midfield route. They are also monitoring Mateus Fernandes, the 21-year-old Portuguese midfielder, while Carlos Baleba remains on their list as well. Fernandes is another expensive option, with West Ham believed to want about £80m, and Brighton think Baleba will stay on the south coast.
There is also a wider picture in midfield at Old Trafford. Casemiro is expected to join Inter Miami in the MLS, but the move is complicated by LA Galaxy’s discovery rights and the fact that Inter Miami do not currently have the free designated player berth needed to meet his wage demand. Officials there believe those obstacles can still be overcome, which would leave United needing to keep moving on their own targets. For now, the clearest next step is whether City return with a higher bid, or whether United decide Anderson is the player worth stretching for most.
