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A fierce battle for Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson is expected to dominate transfer headlines this summer, but Manchester United may find themselves out of the running before any bidding war kicks off after reportedly declaring they will "not overpay" for the 23-year-old.
Anderson, whose deal with the Tricky Trees runs until June 2029, has been at the heart of transfer rumors following a remarkable rise that has seen him establish himself as one of the Premier League's finest midfielders and a likely starter for England at the 2026 World Cup.
Manchester United and Manchester City are believed to be the frontrunners in the race for Anderson's coveted signature. The Red Devils are particularly interested, seeing the England international as a perfect fit for a midfield that is about to be vacated by Casemiro.
However, they may not be prepared to spend what could be the required fee to fend off their crosstown rivals.
Man Utd Put 'Hard Limit' on Anderson's Price Tag
Nottingham Forest are believed to be demanding in excess of £100 million ($135.1 million) for Anderson, with certain reports pushing that figure to £125 million ($168.9 million), equaling the British transfer record set by Liverpool when they brought in Alexander Isak on last summer's Deadline Day.
However, according to BBC Sport, United are determined "not to overpay" for the midfielder or any other targets this summer. If Anderson's asking price reaches around £120 million ($162.2 million), the club "won't pursue" him, despite the fact that he would seamlessly ease the team's transition beyond Casemiro.
The report captured the Red Devils' transfer philosophy heading into the 2026–27 season: "Every player's value has a cap, no matter how well regarded they are."
The club's leadership is "confident" that alternative options exist in the market who can "improve what they already have." However, securing those signings—or even Anderson's if his valuation stays within United's budget—could prove difficult if the 20-time league champions delay making a decision on Michael Carrick well into the summer.
Attracting players to Old Trafford will be challenging without clarity on who the next manager will be and what tactical approach they might employ. Carrick remains the leading candidate to stay in the dugout next season after steering the club's recent revival and their return to the Champions League, yet no formal confirmation has been made.
Man Utd's Transfer Strategy Opens Door for Man City
The managerial uncertainty at Old Trafford, coupled with Man Utd's reported spending ceiling, hands Manchester City a significant advantage in the pursuit of Anderson. The Cityzens have never hesitated to splash the cash on new talent and have a proven track record of outmaneuvering their Premier League rivals in the transfer market, with Marc Guéhi and Antoine Semenyo being the most recent examples.
Even setting aside the potential need to pay a record fee for Anderson, City is arguably the more attractive destination for a player seeking immediate success. Even when Pep Guardiola's side are not firing on all cylinders, they remain consistent contenders for trophies—and more often than not, they claim them.
Unlike at Manchester United, however, Anderson would not be guaranteed a starting berth at the Etihad Stadium. That dynamic could shift considerably, though, if Rodri—who has openly hinted at a move to Real Madrid—completes a high-profile transfer to the Spanish capital.
With so many variables at play, the Anderson saga promises to remain compelling, and the intrigue is only likely to intensify as the summer transfer window draws closer.