Manchester United and Nottingham Forest could do massive business in January.placeholder image
Manchester United and Nottingham Forest could do massive business in January. | Getty Images
Manchester United and Nottingham Forest could engage in a monumental mid-season swap deal
For the first time in a long time, things are beginning to look optimistic at Manchester United. Though how long that will last, we never know.
Amorim’s side has by no means been fixed overnight, though, and a major hole continues to gape in the centre of midfield. A more on-song midfield unit would undoubtedly be able to take advantage of a distinct lack of legs in the middle of the park, as many sides already have this season.
Man United and Nottingham Forest could seal huge swap deal for Anderson
The appeal of the 22-year-old Anderson is clear. Now with multiple years of Premier League experience under his belt, Anderson won the Euros with the England U21s last summer and has now broke through into Thomas Tuchel’s senior squad, becoming one of the first names on the team-sheet in the recent World Cup qualifiers. It is becoming increasingly probable that he starts for the Three Lions in North America next summer.
It is, therefore, understandable that interest around Anderson is beginning to heat up. According to reports by the Mirror, United recently joined the race for the former Newcastle United youth product alongside Manchester City and Chelsea.
Anderson would be the perfect addition to the Red Devils’ midfield. His energy in the middle of the park and ability to get around the pitch and break up attacks are his biggest assets, meaning he could be a game-changing signing for Amorim. From the player’s point of view, a move to Old Trafford might give him an even better chance of starting for England - though, admittedly, that is up for debate in recent years.
The Mirror’s report continues that Anderson is now valued by Forest at an eye-watering £75 million, a massive upgrade on the £35m they paid Newcastle for him just last summer. United could benefit from a player-plus-cash swap deal in order to get a transfer over the line.
Joshua Zirkzee swap deal could seal January move for Anderson
No matter how United have performed on the pitch so far this season, one player who continues to be overlooked is Joshua Zirkzee. He is clearly not fancied by Amorim, who has preferred several other attacking options over the Dutchman.
He could be of great use to Forest, though - his on-ball quality has never been doubted, and the 24-year-old has shown goal-scoring prowess previously in his career at Bologna and Anderlecht, having come through the ranks at Bayern Munich. When a player leaves United, we tend to see their true quality, and that is something Forest will be all too aware of in the case of former player Anthony Elanga.
Zirkzee would offer new boss Sean Dyche another option to rotate with Chris Wood in attack and could even deputise for Morgan Gibbs-White in attacking midfield if needed. It is understood that Zirkzee could be available to potential suitors for just £30m - £35m, meaning an offer by United of the Dutchman plus £40m might be enough to secure a deal with Forest, and see Anderson become the new anchor of the Red Devils’ midfield.
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