Manchester United are going to have to battle against Manchester City for Elliot Anderson this summer, with both looking to make the Nottingham Forest star their lynchpin in midfield for the next decade.
With Casemiro’s impending Manchester United departure in the summer, rebuilding midfield will be the first and foremost priority for Christopher Vivell and Jason Wilcox.
In this quest to revamp the position, Elliot Anderson is the standout choice for United, with the Nottingham Forest midfielder the perfect partner for Kobbie Mainoo, at least in Michael Carrick’s system.
However, competition for Anderson will be serious, although United won’t have to worry about missing out for the same reasons as they did with Antoine Semenyo.
Elliot Anderson by corner flag in Nottingham Forest kit.
Photo by Jon Hobley/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Manchester United are well placed to avoid missing out on Elliot Anderson
United missed out on Semenyo due to finances in January, not willing to pay the player the wages he demanded. This is in an effort from the club to level the wage-bill after years of overpaying.
But this seems unlikely to be a factor for Anderson.
This is as Ben Jacobs has told The United Stand that Anderson won’t be money driven when deciding his next career move this summer.
“But that’s not my understanding with Elliot Anderson. He’s the kind of character that will make his next decision based on project, not finances.”
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Continuing, Jacobs explained the competition United will face, with Newcastle a potential suitor if they lose Sandro Tonali.
“Or Chelsea or Manchester City. Or even Newcastle if Sandro Tonali leaves and Bayern Munich are there as well. So it will be a big competition.”
Newcastle are unlikely to challenge for Anderson, given they won’t have the money with no Europe and are a club currently much lower in the pecking order than the others interested.
However, United are linked with signing Tonali, which could fund their move for Anderson. But some think the Red Devils need two midfielders of this level.
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Elliot Anderson, Carlos Baleba and Yan Diomande in graphic.
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Manchester United must push for Anderson agreement right now
Like last summer with Matheus Cunha, Anderson is set to be one of the hottest topics around the Premier League in regard to transfers.
Due to this, United cannot allow the transfer to drag into the summer and beyond the World Cup when his performances might attract PSG and Real Madrid’s of the world.
Ineos should be pushing right now to get the deal all but agreed so that June 1st we can announce the English midfielder and know the summer’s biggest job is done.
Alternatively, if he intends to go elsewhere, United can’t afford to hang around waiting and must take similar action with an alternative.
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