As initially reported here for the Daily Briefing, Manchester United is prepared to intensify its efforts to recruit Elliot Anderson, a midfielder for Nottingham Forest, in January. According to sources, Manchester United is very interested in Anderson, even if they could have to spend up to £70 million for the England international.
Chelsea and Newcastle United will also be teams to keep an eye on in the hunt for his signing, and Manchester City is expected to provide them with particularly fierce opposition. It seemed certain that Anderson will eventually land a huge move since he has excelled for Forest and is becoming more and more impressive as a regular in the England national squad.
Anderson is seen as the perfect fit for United, and important members of the team concur that he might be a great addition to their team. The 22-year-old appears to be the perfect long-term successor for the elderly Casemiro and an improvement over the unsatisfactory Manuel Ugarte, since the Red Devils have clear midfield problems.
Elliot Anderson transfer saga is one to watch in January
The Red Devils would have to spend up to £70 million on the Englishman if they wish to finalise the deal during the winter transfer window, according to Caught Offside. With four years left on his contract with the Tricky Trees, the midfield player’s £40,000 weekly salary shouldn’t be a barrier to the Manchester giants’ improvement.
Forest has the advantage, though, as the length of his existing contract indicates that the 13-time Premier League winners have limited negotiation leverage. The possibility of a bidding battle for their midfield hero strengthens the Tricky Trees even more. According to the same source, Manchester City, the team’s neighbours, may be serious rivals for the 22-year-old.
Chelsea and Newcastle, a previous team, are also interested, though their desire is reportedly not as strong as that of Pep Guardiola’s City. Given that the midfield spot remained vacant during the summer transfer window, the Red Devils’ interest in a midfield player makes sense.
Given Bruno Fernandes’s involvement in the final third and the Brazilian’s age, some questioned the logic for starting the season with Casemiro and Fernandes as the most defensive midfield alternatives.
