Report: Man United eyeing record-breaking move for Premier League star | OneFootball

Manchester United Eye Record Breaking Move for Elliot Anderson

Manchester United are preparing for what could become one of the defining transfer stories of the summer, with TeamTalk reporting that the club are willing to shatter their transfer record to land Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson.

The 23 year old, described as ‘jaw-dropping’ in his impact this season, has emerged as United’s top target. Forest are believed to be seeking in excess of £100m for a player they signed from Newcastle United for £35m in 2024. That figure would eclipse the £89.3m Manchester United paid for Paul Pogba in 2016, a benchmark that still looms large in conversations about value and expectation at Old Trafford.

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TEAMtalk state that although Forest resisted interest in January, Anderson’s departure this summer now ‘looks a certainty’. Whether Forest secure Premier League survival or not may prove irrelevant. Market forces have a momentum of their own.

Midfield Reset at Old Trafford

United’s interest is rooted in a broader midfield overhaul. Casemiro is set to depart when his contract expires in the Summer. The Brazilian’s exit leaves both a tactical and psychological void.

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Anderson is viewed internally as a potential successor, a player capable of refreshing the engine room. Kobbie Mainoo has re established himself under Michael Carrick, while Manuel Ugarte’s role remains under scrutiny. Bruno Fernandes, entering the final year of his contract at 31, represents another moving part in a midfield that requires clarity.

In that context, the willingness to go beyond £100m signals intent. It is a recognition that modern squad building often demands decisive action rather than incremental adjustment.

Why Elite Clubs Are Circling

Manchester City are also credited as strong contenders, underlining Anderson’s rising stock. His appeal extends beyond headline numbers.

Homegrown versatility allows him to operate centrally or in wide areas while satisfying registration criteria. Energy and pressing intensity suit high tempo Premier League systems. Progressive carrying, the capacity to drive forward with the ball and connect phases of play, adds thrust between midfield and attack.

Photo IMAGO

Such attributes explain why multiple elite clubs are prepared to engage in what could become a defining auction of the window.

For Forest, the situation is delicate. A sale north of £100m would represent extraordinary business. Yet losing a cornerstone figure carries sporting consequences.

For United, the calculation is equally complex. Breaking a transfer record brings scrutiny. It also brings possibility.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

For Manchester United supporters, this feels like a statement moment. The midfield has required renewal for some time. Casemiro’s departure, while respectful and inevitable, leaves a gap in presence and dynamism.

Spending £100m plus is daunting, especially given the club’s recent history in the market. The Pogba fee remains a cautionary tale. Yet fans would argue that elite ambition demands elite investment.

Anderson’s profile appeals. Young, homegrown, adaptable, capable of pressing and carrying the ball with purpose. There is a sense that United need players entering their peak rather than approaching its twilight.

Supporters would also note the competition from Manchester City. Winning this race would send a message about direction and intent.

Ultimately, the question is not solely about price. It is about fit. If United believe Anderson anchors the next phase of their rebuild, then hesitation serves little purpose. The risk is substantial, but so is the potential reward.