The fight to sign Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest is likely to be one of the storylines of the summer transfer window.
The England international is subject of much speculation already, with the summer window not due to open for another month and a half yet.
Manchester United have made him their number one priority in the summer, but they face competition from rivals Manchester City, with reports emerging on Thursday that Pep Guardiola's side were in pole position to sign him.
United are in the market for one, maybe two central midfielders when the transfer window opens, with Casemiro leaving Old Trafford upon the expiration of his contract and the Red Devils happy to listen to offers for Uruguayan Manuel Ugarte too.
Anderson Is Manchester United's Top Priority This Summer
Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson applauds fans
Michael Carrick, who looks set to get the manager's job on a full-time basis, will look to improve his central midfield options and Anderson is the first choice.
However, United will have to pay top money for the 23-year-old, with reports that Forest owner and tough negotiator Evangelos Marinakis is looking for a fee in the region of £125million to sell him - a British record transfer.
There are other options for United in the form of Carlos Baleba at Brighton and Aurelien Tchouameni at Real Madrid, but Anderson is the standout candidate.
If Forest are relegated to the Championship, negotiations over a deal will get easier for both Manchester clubs, but the City Ground side are currently five points above the drop zone in the Premier League with five games to go.
Manchester United may find a deal easier to complete now too, with reports that City are casting their net wider this summer.
City are now considering a move to sign Enzo Fernandez this summer, given the turmoil at Chelsea. The Blues sacked manager Liam Rosenior after just three months in charge this week and will be on the lookout for a new boss in the summer. Fernandez has been linked with an exit from Stamford Bridge on numerous occasions and was recently suspended by the Blues for two matches after admitting on a podcast that he would like to live in Madrid, amid rumours of a bid from Real.
The Reason Man City Are Looking At New Midfielders
Pep Guardiola
City will be losing Bernardo Silva this summer when his contract ends and there are question marks over Rodri's future at the Etihad Stadium too, with talks ongoing over a contract renewal. That will mean City need to revamp their midfield and they have turned to Fernandez as a potential option.
Should City go all out for the Chelsea man, it would leave the door open for United to complete a move for Anderson, although it is said that City's interest in Fernandez at the moment is at an "early stage".
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Man Utd Hold Secret Weapon to Beat Man City to Elliot Anderson Signing
Manchester United could use the 33-year-old as a secret weapon in their transfer race to sign Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson