Manchester United remain intent on signing Elliot Anderson, with club executives optimistic they can beat Manchester City to the 23-year-old midfielder, valued at about £100m by Nottingham Forest. City are considered favourites but had an initial £80m bid rejected.
United’s director of football, Jason Wilcox, is also monitoring Mateus Fernandes of West Ham as another midfield option. West Ham want around £80m for the 21-year-old Portuguese, though that fee may be unrealistic. Fernandes is not in Portugal's World Cup squad and had his wages cut after West Ham's relegation.
United have already agreed a €40.5m (£35m) deal with Atalanta for Brazil midfielder Éderson, who is expected to earn about £70,000 a week. Anderson currently earns about £100,000 a week at Forest and could see a 50% increase regardless of which Manchester club he joins. Sir Jim Ratcliffe is prepared to meet Anderson's wage demands despite cost-cutting efforts.
Anderson has a contract until June 2029 but is widely expected to leave this summer. United are also interested in Brighton's Carlos Baleba, though Brighton believe he will stay. Casemiro, whose departure weakened United's midfield, is expected to join Inter Miami, though compensation with LA Galaxy and a designated player berth remain obstacles.
