Manchester United are focusing on deals for two Premier League midfielders following the news that Manchester City's £120m bid for Nottingham Forest star Elliot Anderson has been rejected, according to David Ornstein.
Man United had identified Anderson as their number one midfield target earlier this summer, as they looked to bolster a position that will be short of depth ahead of the expected summer exits of both Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte.
Kobbie Mainoo, and new signing Ederson, are the only specialist senior central midfielders in the squad should Ugarte leave, even though Mason Mount and Bruno Fernandes have been used in deeper midfield roles in recent months.
Some reports have suggested that the Red Devils could look to add three new midfielders to Michael Carrick's squad during the close season, which would mean there are two more arrivals after Ederson.
While United have had a focus on Premier League midfield targets, the issue is that they come at a premium price, whether it is Carlos Baleba of Brighton and Hove Albion or Newcastle United's Sandro Tonali.
Anderson appears to be a step above even that after Forest decided to reject a bid worth a total of £120m for the England international from City, instead wanting more than that fee upfront if they are to even consider a sale.
Man United Focusing on Alex Scott and Mateus Fernandes
West Ham United Midfielder Mateus Fernandes in Premier League Actionvia Reuters
Posting on X on Wednesday night, Ornstein confirmed that City's bid worth £106m, plus £14m in add-ons, had been rejected by Forest.
Ornstein claims that the Midlands outfit want more than the British transfer record fee of £125m that Liverpool paid to sign Alexander Isak last summer.
Despite United's great admiration for the player, the journalist claims that the fee demanded for the England star means that they are currently out of the race for the 23-year-old.
Instead, the Red Devils are focusing on players who want to join them, including West Ham United's Mateus Fernandes and Alex Scott of Bournemouth.
Fabrizio Romano has claimed that the Hammers value Fernandes at £85m, while Bournemouth are reported to want £80m to consider selling Scott.
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Which Other Midfielders Are On United's List?
Aurelien Tchouameni and Federico Valverde
Aurelien Tchouameni and Federico Valverde
via Reuters
As mentioned previously, two Premier League-based midfielders in Baleba and Tonali continue to be linked, with the former fitting into the category of players who want to make the switch to Old Trafford.
An agreement on personal terms dating back to last summer is already in place for Baleba to join United, and now it is up to the Red Devils whether they reignite their interest from 2025 in the Seagulls star.
United are still considering midfielders playing abroad too after the Ederson deal, with Romano revealing previously that Real Madrid star Aurelien Tchouameni is the club's 'dream' Casemiro replacement.
The France international's future at the Bernabeu looked to be in doubt following his huge bust-up with Federico Valverde in training last month, but the latest suggestions are that Real want to keep him at the club.