Manchester United may like Elliott Anderson very much, but accolades alone won’t lead to a move.
Journalist Ben Jacobs says the Nottingham Forest midfielder is seen as close to a dream target within Old Trafford, but United won’t go into a big-money bidding war blindly.
That stance makes sense. With Anderson’s stock soaring and Manchester City making a strong push, United are likely to be wary of spending huge sums on a player who may not be fully convinced of their project.
If there is a feeling that Anderson prefers City, United would be wise not to repeat the old transfer mistake of chasing a deal for too long and ending up overpaying.
A reporter from The Athletic has confirmed that City have taken the Nottingham Forest midfielder’s transfer fee to over £120m for £106m plus add-ons.
Matheus Fernandes remains on Man United’s radar
As a result, United are now moving forward with other midfield options. Matheus Fernandes remains a player to watch and it is believed that negotiations are ongoing between the players.
The West Ham midfielder could offer energy, technical quality and Premier League experience and would fit the profile United are looking for.
He may not have as much hype around him as Anderson, but that could actually work in United’s favor.
Fernandes feels like a more realistic deal if the numbers are reasonable, especially at a time when United need smart additions rather than statement signings.
Alex Scott and Carlos Baleva outline United’s wide-ranging plans
Bournemouth’s Alex Scott is another interesting name, but his price is a big issue.
Bournemouth are set to hold further negotiations over the player’s future, with reports pegging his value at around £80m. This is a huge transfer fee for a talented but still developing midfielder.
Carlos Baleva is also on United’s list and he definitely fits the physicality and ball-winning ability that United need. But it won’t be a cheap deal either, as Brighton are unlikely to be easy sellers.
Overall, United’s midfield search seems flexible rather than desperate.
Anderson may be a dream, but if the player favors City and the fee becomes too high, a move away may be the wisest move.
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