Manchester United are not competing with Manchester City to sign Elliot Anderson and are instead focusing on deals to sign Mateus Fernandes and Alex Scott, according to reports. United have considered a move for Anderson this summer but Manchester City’s bid of £120 million, which included add-ons, has been rejected by Nottingham Forest this week.
United avoid bidding war
In response to City’s club-record offer, The Athletic report that United do not want to engage in a bidding war with their rivals for Anderson and are now targeting alternatives to the Forest midfielder. The report claims that United’s preference is to target players who want a move to Michael Carrick’s side, such as Fernandes and Scott.
It is understood that Anderson’s preference is a move to City ahead of United. United have already held talks over a deal for Fernandes but West Ham are demanding an £80 million transfer fee. Fernandes, who was signed from Southampton last summer in a deal worth £38m plus £4m in add-ons, has attracted interest from several clubs following West Ham’s relegation from the Premier League including Arsenal, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain.
Fernandes and Scott targets
Reports in Spain this week have also claimed that Jose Mourinho, who has returned to Real Madrid after Florentino Perez was re-elected as president last Sunday, wants Fernandes as part of his midfield revamp this summer. Meanwhile, Bournemouth are also understood to be holding out for an £80m fee for Scott following interest from United and Liverpool. The 22-year-old, who was one of Bournemouth’s standout players under Andoni Iraola last season, was not included in England’s World Cup squad but has travelled to the United States with the team to help with their preparations.
United have already agreed a £35m deal to sign Ederson from Atalanta but remain in the market for an additional midfielder this summer. The club’s strategy appears to be focused on securing players who are keen on a move to Old Trafford, avoiding protracted negotiations and inflated fees.
