Nottingham Forest midfield ace Elliot Anderson will be in high demand this summer. Manchester United are among the clubs expected to push hard to sign the former Newcastle academy star.
2026 will be a big year for Manchester United in terms of squad investment, even if the club opts to wait until the summer to sign new players.
When Ruben Amorim was in charge last summer, United focused on revamping the attacking department with signings such as Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko.
United fans are expecting to see a shift this year as Ineos step up their search for midfield reinforcements. Casemiro announced he is leaving United at the end of the season, Bruno Fernandes is not getting any younger, and Manuel Ugarte has struggled to adapt at Old Trafford.
You have £100m to spend on a midfielder – who are YOU buying, Elliot Anderson or Adam Wharton?
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There are multiple midfield options linked with United ahead of the summer. The prime target is Elliot Anderson at Nottingham Forest, while United are also tracking Adam Wharton and enquired about Carlos Baleba earlier this month.
United have big decisions to make before next season begins.
Elliot Anderson at the Gtech Community Stadium
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Man Utd face challenge to sign Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest
It’s no wonder that Anderson is on United’s radar as the club attempts to give its midfield department a real makeover at the end of the season.
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The 23-year-old has been one of the best midfielders in the Premier League this season, playing every minute for Forest, even though they are 17th in the standings after 23 games.
Elliot Anderson stats in the Premier League this season:
Minutes played: 2,070 (1st)
Passes completed: 1,346
Touches: 2,112 (2nd)
Tackles: 60
Fouls won: 55 (2nd)
Ball recoveries: 192 (1st)
Looking at these stats, it’s easy to see why Anderson will be among the most sought-after players in the Premier League this summer.
Man City are believed to be keen on Anderson and there will be more interest from clubs around the continent.
The Athletic’s David Ornstein has provided an update on Anderson’s future, stating that whoever wants to sign him faces multiple challenges in doing so.
It will take a big bid, wages in excess of £100,000 per week and seeing off competition from several other clubs.
When asked about Anderson during a Reddit AMA, Ornstein replied: “As previously reported, there’s a good chance he moves this summer, and I would expect most of the biggest Premier League clubs (Arsenal aside) to be in the mix and some of the European giants, too.
“Manchester United are huge admirers and many expect them to be rivalled by Manchester City, Bayern Munich and others.
“It’s going to take a very high fee to prise Anderson from Nottingham Forest. He already earns in excess of £100,000 per week, so the salary expectation will also be challenging.”
IS Elliot Anderson the ideal midfielder for Manchester United?🔥
His performance against Manchester City has been really impressive…
Elliot Anderson stats
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If Anderson completes a transfer to United this summer, he won’t be the first midfielder at Nottingham Forest to make the move.
Sir Alex Ferguson signed Roy Keane from Forest on July 19, 1993 for a then-British record transfer fee of £3.75 million.
Blackburn Rovers were close to signing Keane until United hijacked the deal. The rest, as they say, is history, as the Irishman went on to captain the side and win everything before leaving under controversial circumstances in 2005.
Hopefully, Anderson makes the same decision as Keane if United make an official offer later this year.
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