Manchester United remain optimistic about signing Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson, despite Manchester City being considered favourites. The 23-year-old is valued at approximately £100m, and City have already had an £80m bid rejected. United believe they can persuade Anderson to choose Old Trafford over the Etihad.
Anderson is expected to start for England in their World Cup opener against Croatia on 17 June. His current salary at Forest is around £100,000 a week, and he can expect a 50% increase regardless of which Manchester club he joins. United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is prepared to meet those wage demands despite ongoing cost-cutting efforts.
United have also agreed a €40.5m (£35m) deal with Atalanta for Brazilian midfielder Éderson, 26, who will earn approximately £70,000 a week. Meanwhile, Jason Wilcox, United's director of football, is monitoring West Ham's Mateus Fernandes as an alternative. West Ham want around £80m for the 21-year-old Portuguese, though that fee may be unrealistic.
Fernandes' wages were cut by 50% after West Ham's relegation, making him a more budget-friendly option. Wilcox previously worked with Fernandes at Southampton. United are also interested in Brighton's Carlos Baleba, but the 22-year-old Cameroon midfielder is expected to stay on the south coast.
Casemiro, whose departure weakened United's midfield, is set to join Inter Miami. However, LA Galaxy hold his discovery rights, and Inter must agree compensation. Inter also lack a free designated player slot to meet the 34-year-old's wage demands, but club officials are confident of resolving these issues.
