City Gunning for £100m Anderson Raid as United Faff About in Midfield Hunt
Elliot Anderson is a £100m target for both Manchester clubs, but Man City are leading the charge per Fabrizio Romano, while Man Utd hesitate over their manager search. United eye midfield revamp with Adam Wharton, Carlos Baleba, Sandro Tonali, and Alex Scott amid Casemiro's exit. City plan imminent moves for the England star.
City Gunning for £100m Anderson Raid as United Faff About in Midfield Hunt
Picture this: Elliot Anderson, the Nottingham Forest and England midfield maestro, is the summer's hottest ticket. Just shy of two years since Newcastle flogged him to Forest for £35m, whispers suggest he's now a £100m gem. Both Manchester giants are salivating, but while Man City are sharpening their chequebook, Man Utd seem stuck in neutral.
Anderson: From Magpies' Regret to England Star
Forest's 23-year-old playmaker has bosses everywhere drooling. Newcastle would kill to yank him back after their sale turned into a howler, but the buzz is all about a Mancunian move. Fabrizio Romano, the transfer oracle, lit the blue touch paper on his YouTube channel, naming Anderson a 'serious target' and 'top two' on City's midfield wishlist.
Romano spilled: City's already plotting moves in the coming weeks because the lad's 'super appreciated'. With Anderson eyeing an England start at the 2026 World Cup, Pep's lot see him as the perfect midfield cog. Forest's Prem survival and the price tag will dictate, but City's not messing about.
Meanwhile, United rate him as one of their top trio alongside Adam Wharton and Carlos Baleba. Original reporting from Steve Pearson at TEAMtalk flags him as a key piece in their engine room revamp, but here's the rub – they've not picked a favourite yet.
United's Managerial Mess Holds Them Back
Why the dithering? United's still hunting a permanent gaffer. Snapping up a box-to-box dynamo for Michael Carrick's interim vibe only for Roberto De Zerbi or whoever to rock up wanting a regista would be daft. Romano nailed it: no firm call on Anderson, Wharton, or Baleba till the dugout's sorted.
It's deja vu of City's January masterstroke with Marc Guehi, nicking him from Liverpool's grasp. The Reds waited for free agency; City pounced. United risk the same fate here – City don't hang about when they smell blood.
The Red Devils aren't short of options, mind. The Sun reports interest in Newcastle's Sandro Tonali as a Casemiro successor, plus Alex Scott from Bournemouth (over Tyler Adams) and Brighton's Baleba. All young guns – 22 or 23, Premier League tested – to bin off the Brazilian veteran's fading legs.
Broader Mancunian Midfield Madness
Over at Old Trafford, Casemiro's packing his samba boots, and another star's eyeing the exit amid a shrinking role. City's director Hugo Viana was snapped nattering with the agent's of the 'world's best player' – blockbuster bait that's got tongues wagging.
United's focus screams long-term: ditch the old guard, build with hungry PL-proven pups. But if they don't accelerate, Anderson could be sipping tea at the Etihad come summer. City's shortlist is locked; United's still scribbling.
As Romano puts it, expect City to strike soon. United fans, crack on with that manager hunt – or watch Guardiola add another jewel to his crown. Cheers to the transfer window; it's gonna be a riot.