Nottingham Forest star Elliott Anderson has emerged as a transfer target for Manchester United, whose summer bid for Brighton’s Carlos Baleva failed.
Manchester United are ready to enter the race to sign Elliott Anderson.
Nottingham Forest midfielder Anderson has attracted attention following his astonishing rise to the England squad. Manchester City and Chelsea are also keeping an eye on the midfielder, who turns 23 next month and is seen as one of the brightest prospects in English football.
This has also alerted United, who want to make rebuilding their midfield their next priority and are also eyeing Brighton’s Carlos Baleva and Crystal Palace’s England international candidate Adam Wharton. But United are also big fans of Anderson, who only made his England debut in September but has now won four senior caps and is seen as likely to start at next year’s World Cup.
Anderson was sold by Newcastle for £35m last year, a blow that was seen as something that had to be done to balance the books and meet profit and sustainability regulations. His growth since then has attracted attention as a player who is both a defensive midfielder and a player who can run forward.
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Forest are clearly determined to hold on to their prize money asset and will not want to sell despite growing interest in Anderson, who is currently valued at around £75m.
City are looking to strengthen their midfield as Rodri struggles to return to full fitness. Chelsea are also good buyers when it comes to young English talent, but they have plenty in that department.
United made a big purchase upfront in the summer, spending more than £200m on Matheus Cunha, Brian Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesco. But Baleva’s move in the summer transfer window, despite some resistance from Brighton, showed United were in the market for a change.
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They want to improve the balance in midfield and could look to make two new signings, with Casemiro out of contract this summer and Bruno Fernandes attracting interest.
Anderson is under contract with Forest until June 2029, meaning he will be paid a hefty contract fee. He has played in all 10 of Forest’s Premier League and Europa League games this season, and has become a key player for the team.
United approached Brighton about the possibility of signing Baleva in the summer transfer window, but negotiations were unsuccessful and the Seagulls stuck to their transfer valuation.
“I don’t think Baleva was a legend,” Brighton owner Tony Bloom recently told The Argus. “There was interest from Manchester United and we said he wouldn’t be available this summer and then they left, so we’ve had a lot of bigger stories in the past.
“But Carlos Baleva, his development is immeasurable. He is a very important player for this football club and we are very happy that he is with us this season.”
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