Manchester Rivals Lock Horns Over Forest's Anderson as Transfer Window Heats Up
Manchester United and City are set for a transfer tug-of-war over Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson amid Casemiro's departure, while Inter eye Liverpool's Curtis Jones and Barcelona push for permanent Rashford deal. Other rumours swirl around keepers like James Trafford, full-back Tino Livramento, and prospects like Luka Vuskovic. Pep Guardiola snubs advice to Arteta as the silly season ramps up.
Transfer Frenzy: City, United, and Europe Eye Premier League Stars
Picture this: it's summer transfer silly season, and the rumour mill is churning faster than a Nottingham Forest midfield press. Manchester United and Manchester City are gearing up for a proper Mancunian showdown, not on the pitch, but over Elliot Anderson. The 23-year-old has been bossing it for Forest and earning caps with England under Thomas Tuchel – no wonder the big boys want him.
According to reports from The Sun and Daily Mirror, United are ready to splash the cash big time, building their midfield rebuild around the lad. With Casemiro waving cheerio after confirming his exit – "the decision is done," he says – Old Trafford needs a fresh engine. Forest value him at £75 million, but a bidding war could send that spiralling. If Forest go down, they'll have to cash in, no two ways about it.
Italian Job for Liverpool's Jones, Plus Barca's Rashford Gamble
Over in Italy, Inter Milan are sniffing around Liverpool's Curtis Jones, as per Corriere dello Sport. The 25-year-old enters his contract's final year, making him a bargain basement buy. Inter were keen in January alongside AC Milan, and they're even eyeing a loan for defender Giovanni Leoni. Jones could be waving goodbye to Anfield for Serie A pasta.
Meanwhile, Barcelona are cock-a-hoop about turning Marcus Rashford's loan from Manchester United into a permanent deal, says transfer guru Fabrizio Romano. Personal terms are nearly sorted, but United want the full €30 million fee upfront. Rashford's bagged four goals and seven assists in La Liga – not bad for a loanee dreaming of Camp Nou.
It's like Rashford's playing musical chairs with his career: United out, Barca in? We'll see if Deco can magic up the dosh.
Goalkeepers, Full-Backs, and More Chaos
Aston Villa are in the mix for Man City's backup keeper James Trafford, reports TEAMtalk. The 23-year-old's been twiddling thumbs behind Gianluigi Donnarumma, with just 11 appearances. Newcastle were sniffing too – every top club loves a young shot-stopper.
Tino Livramento might leg it from Newcastle, with City among the admirers (Daily Telegraph). His deal runs to 2028, but he's not keen on extending without a release clause. St James' Park could lose another gem if the cash comes calling.
Quick hits elsewhere: Juventus fancy Alisson Becker but need Champions League footie first (Football Insider). Bayern Munich eye Tottenham loanee Luka Vuskovic at Hamburg (Christian Falk). Arsenal get a leg-up in the Julián Alvarez chase after Barca's Deco denies talks (Daily Mirror). And Jesse Lingard's move to Corinthians is all but wrapped, per Ekrem Konur.
Norwich's Kellen Fisher has Prem scouts drooling – Everton, Arsenal, United, Newcastle on the case (TEAMtalk). Chelsea won't flog Cole Palmer for funds (Standard), Emil Krafth eyes a freebie exit from Newcastle (Nicolo Schira), and Omar Marmoush dreams of Barca (Ekrem Konur). Arsenal scouts watched Cagliari's Marco Palestra too (Nicolo Schira).
Pep's Snub and Marcotti's Rant
Oh, and Pep Guardiola cheekily shut down dishing advice to Mikel Arteta – no handouts in the title race! Meanwhile, Gab Marcotti is fuming over Man City's 115 charges verdict taking forever. "Absurd," he calls it. Fair play, it's dragging like a midweek cup tie.
As the window looms, it's all about who blinks first. United going all-out for Anderson? Barca landing Rashford? Grab your popcorn – or pint – this summer's gonna be a belter.