Manchester United and Liverpool in £100m transfer fight over breakout England star | OneFootball

Huge battle brewing over Three Lions’ new Mr Reliable with Newcastle also potentially in the running

Manchester United and Liverpool look to be on a transfer collision course over England star Elliot Anderson.

The 23-year-old midfielder has established a reputation as one of the best midfielders in the country during an impressive rise to prominence, despite Nottingham Forest’s struggles in the Premier League this season.

His sparkling form has not gone unnoticed by Forest’s Premier League rivals, with The Times reporting that Manchester United are tracking Anderson and view him as a potential replacement for Casemiro, whose current contract at Old Trafford - which includes an option for the club to trigger an automatic 12-month extension - is set to expire at the end of the current season.

However, the Red Devils are far from alone in eyeing Anderson as they plot a midfield overhaul after making significant changes to their attack over the summer, with speculation also continuing to surround the future of Kobbie Mainoo.

Liverpool are also said to be interested in a player who could be valued at as much as £100million as they seek their own upgrades in the middle of the pitch after making a dreadful start to their title defence.

Newcastle are also being linked again with Anderson, having initially sold him to Forest in the summer of 2024 for £35m and also offloaded Yankuba Minteh to Brighton as they sought to ensure they complied fully with the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR).

Anderson - who hails from Whitley Bay on Tyneside - had previously been at Newcastle since the age of eight, making 55 senior appearances across all competitions before leaving St James’ Park.

He has made 56 outings across all competitions for Forest so far, scoring three goals and registering seven assists. He scored his first goal of the season before the November international break as Sean Dyche earned his first league win at the City Ground when his side came from behind to defeat promoted Leeds 3-1.

Liverpool will get a closer look at Anderson on Saturday when they host Forest at Anfield as the top-flight resumes.