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Manchester City are said to have seen an opening offer for Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson rejected in a transfer battle that is expected to be financially out of reach for Manchester United.
According to The Athletic, Forest were quick to turn down City's long-anticipated move for Anderson, though the managerless club are not believed to have given up and will press on in pursuit of a high-profile deal.
United are well-known admirers of Anderson and are prepared to invest heavily in midfield this summer, but there is a feeling within Old Trafford that matching Forest's valuation of the 23-year-old would represent poor financial judgment.
While the specifics of City's rejected offer remain unclear, Forest are reportedly using Arsenal's $137.5 million (£105 million) signing of Declan Rice in 2023 as a benchmark, with potential suitors warned they may need to surpass that figure to land Anderson.
City continue to hold talks, but United, despite reportedly having the financial capacity to table such an offer, are now exploring alternative options.
Man Utd's Alternative Targets
United's reluctance over Anderson is not rooted in doubts about his quality, but rather the sheer cost of the deal and whether committing such a large sum to a single player is the wisest move at this stage of the club's rebuild.
Finding a replacement for Casemiro in midfield is a top priority, but United are believed to be targeting two new midfielders, a left back, and a striker as they gear up for a return to Champions League football. Consequently, their transfer budget will need to be distributed across multiple positions.
That value-driven approach is already evident in the imminent signing of Atalanta midfielder Éderson for approximately $47 million, a deal that still leaves ample funds to bring in a high-calibre player alongside him.
Newcastle United's Sandro Tonali and Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton are among the names on their radar, both expected to command significant fees but unlikely to reach Forest's asking price for Anderson.
Similarly, West Ham United's Mateus Fernandes carries a $107.5 million price tag, though following the Hammers' relegation from the Premier League, there is a sense he could be available at a reduced cost.
If United can secure two players for the equivalent of Anderson's fee, those at the helm of Old Trafford would consider that a smarter allocation of resources, especially given that the anticipated exit of Manuel Ugarte would leave Kobbie Mainoo as the only natural midfielder in Michael Carrick's squad.
Any remaining funds would then be directed toward strengthening other areas of the squad, better preparing the Red Devils for the rigours of European football next season.