According to the "Times" report, Manchester United is paying close attention to Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliott Anderson, and the Red Devils have included the Englishman on their list of potential signings next summer.
Since moving from Newcastle to Nottingham Forest in the summer of 2024, the 23-year-old Anderson has become one of the best young players in the Premier League. He has started five of England's last six games and is expected to become a regular for the national team at next summer's World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Initially, Nottingham Forest paid a transfer fee of 35 million pounds to sign Anderson, but given his current performance and status, his worth may have soared to 100 million pounds. Newcastle were forced to sell Anderson for breaching profitability and sustainability rules and are now interested in re-signing him. Liverpool are also interested in him, despite having already invested heavily in midfield this summer.
Manchester United is unlikely to make an offer for Anderson in January, as Nottingham Forest will not consider any offer at this time. However, United know they need to fill a void in midfield next summer, with Casemiro likely to leave Old Trafford by then. Although Casemiro's performance has improved this season, he will be 34 years old in February next year and has an annual salary of more than 18 million pounds, so the club is unlikely to activate the one-year extension option in his contract. Some clubs in Saudi Arabia are ready to offer him a more lucrative contract.
Brighton's Baleba is another midfielder that Manchester United has recently inspected, but the Red Devils are unwilling to meet the asking price of up to 100 million pounds for the 21-year-old midfielder this summer. A return to Newcastle could be an attractive option for Anderson, whose grandfather Jeff Allen played for the club in the 1960s and who came through the Newcastle academy.
Manchester United is unlikely to introduce big-name players in the winter window, although Mbemo (Cameroon), Amad (Ivory Coast) and Mazraoui (Morocco) will all participate in the African Cup of Nations, which will start on December 21 and end on January 18 next year.