Manchester United are preparing a bid for a new midfielder after discovering Nottingham Forest’s stance on Elliot Anderson this summer.
Man Utd set to sign multiple midfielders this summer
Forest will drive a hard bargain for Anderson after Manchester City stepped up their interest in signing the midfielder.
City have had a long-standing interest in Anderson, who started England’s final pre-World Cup warm-up match against Costa Rica in Florida on Wednesday, amid reports they have tabled a British-record bid north of £100million.
But with Anderson under a lengthy contract and Forest not needing to sell, owner Evangelos Marinakis will not let one of his key men go on the cheap, especially with the potential for his price tag to increase if he has a successful World Cup with England.
Manchester United are also keen admirers but the price range looks beyond the Old Trafford club, having already moved to secure a cheaper option in Atalanta midfielder Ederson.
Interestingly, there could be somewhat of a midfielder merry-go-round, with the Serie A club now eyeing a move for Forest midfielder Nicolò Savona as a replacement for the Brazilian.
Savona’s exit would only toughen Marinakis’ stance even further, and it is no surprise United appear to be moving onto other targets, with Fabrizio Romano now sharing an update on their pursuit of West Ham United star Mateus Fernandes.
You scored
out of 20
Fabrizio Romano: Man Utd preparing bid with agent
Romano shared an update on United’s interest in Fernandes in his latest Youtube video, revealing the Portuguese star’s agent is actively in talks with the Red Devils as they prepare to submit their formal bid.
“Manchester United are in official contact with the agent of the player. Manchester United have already started the conversation with the agent to start preparing a bid to West Ham, so Man United are for sure in conversations with Mateus Fernandes.”
Recent reports have suggested the 21 year-old will cost upwards of £80m, though the Hammers’ negotiating stance has been weakened by their relegation to the Championship.
Fernandes scored three times and provided four assists in the Premier League last season, but is more renowned for his ability to weave out of danger in midfield, breaking up play and launching counter attacks.
Indeed, the former Southampton gem averaged 2.9 tackles per game in the top flight last term – more than any United player.
Fernandes alternative: Man Utd preparing bid for £33,000-a-week “nightmare”
The Red Devils are ramping up their pursuit of a midfielder.
