Manchester United Targeting Elliot Anderson Amidst City Interest
Manchester United have already landed one major midfield target in Ederson. Now they are preparing to walk straight into Manchester City’s path for another.
With Casemiro heading out as a free agent – Inter Miami the most likely destination – and Manuel Ugarte placed on the transfer list, United’s summer brief in midfield is clear: two signings at minimum, three if the market breaks their way. The rebuild in the centre of the pitch is not a luxury. It is the project.
Ederson is the first piece. The Atalanta midfielder has agreed personal terms on a five-year deal, turned down other offers and, crucially, given United his word. Talks between the clubs are advanced, with a fee expected to land at around €45m (£38m). For a three-cap Brazil international entering his prime, United view that as sharp business.
But Ederson is only the start.
Carrick’s preference, INEOS’ obsession
Once the Brazilian is through the door, United intend to move up a gear and chase a higher-profile name. Michael Carrick’s preferred option is Sandro Tonali, a player whose profile fits the deep-lying playmaker mould the former United midfielder knows so well.
INEOS, though, have fixed their gaze elsewhere.
Their No 1 target is Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson, a 23-year-old England international they believe can anchor the midfield for the next decade. Dynamic, technically secure and comfortable under pressure, Anderson ticks the boxes a modern superclub demands from the heart of the pitch.
There is one problem. And it is a sizeable one.
City move well down the line
Manchester City have moved early and decisively. Anderson has agreed personal terms with the League Cup and FA Cup holders and, by all accounts, is already picturing himself in Enzo Maresca’s system.
Pep Guardiola’s departure, a moment that might have unsettled some targets, has not dented Anderson’s enthusiasm. The project under Maresca, and the lure of slotting into City’s possession-heavy structure, has held firm appeal.
Talks between City and Forest have been progressing quickly. On May 27, insider Fraser Fletcher reported that negotiations were “rapidly advancing” and that a deal could be wrapped up before the end of May. Within the corridors at City and Forest, the expectation has been that this transfer is a matter of when, not if.
United, though, are refusing to stand and watch.
United “calling and calling”
Fabrizio Romano recently revealed that United have been “calling and calling” over Anderson, refusing to accept that the player is out of reach. Those calls are now set to escalate into something more aggressive.
According to the i, United are ready to make a “serious play” to hijack City’s move. Reporter Pete Hall notes that insiders still believe City’s deal for Anderson is well advanced and that Guardiola’s exit will not derail it, even with United now preparing their late charge.
This is no token interest. United rate Anderson extremely highly and see him as a central pillar of their new era under INEOS. Letting him stroll across town to the Etihad without a fight would cut against everything the new regime wants to project.
The clock, though, is brutal. Forest and City are close. United must move now or move on.
Plan B, C and D
If Anderson proves impossible to prise away from City’s grasp, United will pivot to a long and ambitious midfield shortlist. Carlos Baleba, Aurelien Tchouameni, Tonali and Adam Wharton are among the names under serious consideration, with INEOS determined not to be left scrambling late in the window.
Ederson’s arrival should be secured. The second – and possibly third – midfield signing will define how bold this United rebuild really is.
Do they rip up City’s script and pull Anderson towards Old Trafford at the last moment, or accept that their new era in midfield will be written without one of England’s most coveted young talents?
