
Manchester United are set to join the race for Elliott Anderson. The Nottingham Forest midfielder has become a hot prospect in the transfer market following his impressive performances this season, with Manchester City and Chelsea also keeping tabs on the 22-year-old—who turns 23 next month and is regarded as one of the most promising young talents in English football.
This has also alerted United, as rebuilding the midfield is indeed a key priority for the Red Devils in the next phase. The club has also been scouting Brighton’s Yves Bâléba and Crystal Palace’s promising English talent Adam Wharton. However, United are also keen on Anderson, who made his England debut in September and has since earned four call-ups; he is highly likely to feature as a regular in next year’s World Cup.
Newcastle United’s sale of Anderson for £35 million last year was seen as a significant loss, but the club was forced to sell him reluctantly to comply with Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR). Since then, the midfielder—capable of playing both as a defensive midfielder and an attacking box-to-box player—has impressed with his development. Despite strong interest from various sides, Forest are clearly determined to retain this key asset and have no intention of selling; the player is now valued at around £75 million.
Manchester City are looking to strengthen their midfield as Rodri is yet to fully regain his best form. While Chelsea already have a somewhat crowded midfield, the club has a history of targeting promising young English players. Manchester United spent over £200 million this summer to sign Matheus Cunha, Marcus Thuram and Benjamin Šeško, overhauling their attack. However, their failed attempt to sign Bâléba from Brighton before the summer transfer window closed still revealed their intention to reshape their midfield.
The Red Devils hope to optimize their midfield balance and may sign two new players—Bruno Fernandes has been attracting interest from other clubs, while Casemiro’s contract expires this summer. Anderson’s contract with Forest runs until June 2029, so any transfer would command a substantial fee. This season, he has played every minute of Forest’s 10 Premier League and Europa League games, making him a crucial figure for the team.
Earlier this summer, United held talks with Brighton over a move for Bâléba, but negotiations stalled as the Seagulls stuck to their asking price.