Manchester United Target Elliot Anderson to Disrupt Manchester City's Plans
Manchester United have already landed one major midfield prize in Ederson. Now they are preparing to walk straight into Manchester City’s path for another.
With Casemiro departing on a free – with Inter Miami the most likely destination – and Manuel Ugarte placed on the transfer list, United’s summer rebuild in the middle of the pitch is not optional. It is fundamental. Two new central midfielders are a minimum. Three is firmly on the table.
Ederson is the first piece. The Atalanta midfielder has agreed personal terms on a five-year deal, turning down other offers to prioritise a move to Old Trafford. United are deep in negotiations with Atalanta over a package expected to land at around €45m (£38m), a fee viewed inside the club as value for a three-cap Brazil international entering his prime.
That is only the start.
Anderson at the heart of Manchester tug-of-war
Once Ederson is over the line, United intend to swing hard for a higher-profile name. Michael Carrick’s preferred option is Sandro Tonali from Newcastle, but INEOS have made Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson their No 1 target.
There is one significant problem: Manchester City got there first.
The 23-year-old England international has already agreed personal terms with the League Cup and FA Cup holders. He is said to be relishing the prospect of working under incoming manager Enzo Maresca and remains unfazed by the departure of Pep Guardiola.
Talks between City and Forest have been moving quickly. On May 27, insider Fraser Fletcher reported that negotiations were “rapidly advancing” and that a deal could be wrapped up before the end of the month. Inside City, the expectation is clear: they believe they are close.
United are not prepared to simply watch it happen.
United refuse to back down
The Old Trafford hierarchy rate Anderson extremely highly and have not stopped pushing. Transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano recently revealed that United have been “calling and calling” for the midfielder, refusing to accept that the race is over.
Now comes the escalation.
According to the i, United are ready to make what has been described as a “serious play” to hijack City’s move. Reporter Pete Hall detailed the situation, stating that insiders still view a City deal as “well advanced” and that Guardiola’s exit will not derail it – even with United now preparing a full-scale attempt to turn the player’s head.
The clock is ticking. If United are going to drag this transfer battle away from the Etihad and back towards Old Trafford, they will have to move quickly and decisively, both with Forest and with the player’s camp.
Plan B if Anderson slips away
Should City close the Anderson deal before United can intervene, INEOS will pivot. The recruitment team has drawn up a broad shortlist, with Carlos Baleba, Aurelien Tchouameni, Tonali and Adam Wharton among the alternative options under active consideration.
Ederson’s arrival will give United fresh legs and aggression in midfield. What comes next will define the shape – and ceiling – of their engine room for years.
Do they prise Anderson out of City’s grasp and reshape the balance of power in Manchester’s midfield, or does this become the first major transfer defeat of the INEOS era?
