Nottingham Forest slap an eye-watering valuation on rising midfield star Elliot Anderson as Manchester United eye a summer swoop.
Is Elliot Anderson worth the money?
Manchester United's hunt for midfielders this summer is one that many fans of the club are eagerly awaiting.
Having been a problem area for a number of seasons, United's top brass have finally decided that the 2026 summer window will be the transfer window when the club go big on midfield recruitment.
With Casemiro set to leave this summer once his contract expires and Manuel Ugarte being linked with a move to either Italy or Turkey, United are likely going to need to spend cash on at least three central midfielders.
The club have spent more than a year compiling their list of possible targets, with Roundtable understanding that Nottingham Forest star Elliot Anderson is at the top of the tree.
Forest offer Anderson price tag update
United are not the only suitor for Anderson this summer – he is one of the most talked-about and hottest properties in the Premier League, although it's United and Manchester City who are the most closely linked sides.
According to The Telegraph, amid the 23-year-old's growing influence on England's national side and his ever-increasing abilities in midfield, Forest now see him as a player worth north of £100 million.
£100 million has now become the benchmark initial price tag for world-class midfielders, considering the moves of Declan Rice to Arsenal (£105 million), Enzo Fernández to Chelsea (£106.8 million), and Moisés Caicedo to Chelsea (£115 million) of late.
While transfer journalist Ben Jacobs reported late last year that there were special provisions in Anderson's deal at Forest that allowed him to leave for Champions League clubs for more reasonable fees, the competition for his signature may have rendered this null and void.
Why Anderson over all other midfielders?
Anderson is not the only high-quality midfielder available on the transfer market this summer. The likes of Sandro Tonali, Adam Wharton, and Carlos Baleba are all somewhat available for transfer, although fees will be high.
What will be most appealing to United about Anderson is not just his ability to defend as a No. 6, but also his play on the ball.
United are looking for a player to, at the very least, pair with Kobbie Mainoo in midfield behind Bruno Fernandes, and while Mainoo is brilliant at progressing with the ball at his feet, Anderson's passing range is admirable.
Anderson, or whoever would slot into the midfield role, would replace Casemiro, and the Englishman has the most similar skill set to the Brazilian legend, making him the ideal candidate.