Manchester United are interested in Nottingham Forest star Elliot Andersonplaceholder image
Manchester United are interested in Nottingham Forest star Elliot Anderson | Getty Images
Man United have been linked to signing Nottingham Forest and England midfielder Elliot Anderson.
Man United’s January transfer window is a quiet one, and many believe that it will remain quiet, even though Michael Carrick has been tasked with trying to qualify for the Champions League during the second half of the season.
It is understood that the Red Devils are plotting to spend big in the summer transfer window, especially on a midfielder, as they’ve been crying out for more quality in the middle of the park for a long time now.
There are three main targets for United in midfield. Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson, Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, and Adam Wharton. All three are expected to cost at least £70m, meaning that United will need to make the right decision, or it could be a huge waste of money.
Man United “confident” in signing Baleba
The Red Devils enquired about signing Baleba from Brighton last summer, but the Premier League club bounced back with a £100m price tag on the Cameroon international, so United withdrew their interest. However, the Red Devils are plotting to spend big on a midfielder this summer, so they could go back in for the 22-year-old.
According to the Sun, Man United are increasingly confident that they can sign Baleba in the summer. His value has slightly reduced over the course of the season, as he has struggled for form more this year, with many believing he could be distracted by the interest from United.
Baleba has made 19 appearances for Brighton this season, playing the holding midfield role that Moises Caicedo used to occupy. The Seagulls are looking for a similar outcome to Caicedo, as they sold him to Chelsea for over £100m in 2023. Baleba will now hope to close the season out strong after he returned from AFCON after getting knocked out in the quarter-finals by Morocco.
Man United remain interested in Wharton and Anderson
The recent reports suggest that Baleba may be United’s first choice in terms of a midfield target. That also makes sense considering they enquired about him in the summer, and didn’t (to anyone’s knowledge) enquire about the other two.
However, seeing as Baleba has struggled for form this year, and Brighton is demanding such a huge fee, United remain interested in Anderson and Wharton, especially seeing as they have both been vying for a spot in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad this season.
Wharton would potentially be the safest bet of the three, as it is understood that he’d be the cheapest, as Nottingham Forest are also demanding £100m for Anderson. Wharton will still be an expensive choice, but United could likely offer around £60m-£70m for him instead of spending £100m plus, like the other two.
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