Manchester United Pursues Record-Breaking €115 Million Transfer

Manchester United has shown improvement in recent weeks. While the Red Devils are not yet title contenders in the Premier League—evidenced by draws against Nottingham Forest (2-2) and Tottenham (2-2)—they have recorded three impressive victories against Sunderland, Liverpool, and Brighton. Currently, they sit in seventh place, only four points behind rivals Manchester City. To achieve further progress, they may need to explore the transfer market to secure a brighter future than the tumultuous past they seem to have left behind. Following last summer’s signings of Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha, United is reportedly eyeing another rising star in English football: Elliot Anderson.

Could this be the most expensive transfer in Red Devils’ history?

Reports suggest that Manchester United is ramping up efforts to sign Anderson, who has established himself as a key player for Nottingham Forest this season. According to The Sun, the club is preparing a bid of around €115 million, which would make it the highest transfer fee in their history, surpassing the €105 million spent on Paul Pogba in 2016. At 23, Anderson is viewed as one of the most promising young talents in the Premier League and has particularly impressed Ruben Amorim during a recent encounter between the two teams.

“He is a very good player,” the Portuguese coach commented, showcasing his admiration before their match. This was further confirmed by Anderson’s impressive performance, characterized by skill, energy, and maturity—qualities currently lacking in Manchester’s midfield. His coach at Forest, Sean Dyche, also praised Anderson but noted that he still has room for development: “He is still learning the fundamentals of his position, but he is a very good player. He manages the ball well, has great technique, and a positive attitude… even if he does complain a bit! He is quickly learning what it means to play in the Premier League.”

Man United needs to sell before pursuing Anderson

Anderson would be a strong candidate to replace Casemiro, who is currently vital in United’s midfield. The 33-year-old Brazilian is under contract until 2026 but is expected to leave on a free transfer next summer. Meanwhile, Bruno Fernandes has indicated he will make a decision on his future after the World Cup, and Kobbie Mainoo, once seen as United’s future, has struggled to impress the new coach. With Amorim endorsing Anderson, he could become a key figure in a rebuilding midfield.

While Anderson would certainly enhance Manchester United’s squad, the price of this potential transfer means the club will need to finalize some sales first. Several players currently on loan could end up being sold permanently. Marcus Rashford, performing well at FC Barcelona with 6 goals and 9 assists in 16 matches, is the most likely to be sold, with the Catalan club holding an option to buy worth approximately €30 million. Rasmus Højlund, on loan at Napoli where he has scored 4 goals in 10 appearances, could bring in over €43 million if the Italian club opts to keep him. Other players like Jadon Sancho, on loan at Aston Villa, and André Onana, currently at Trabzonspor, could also be sold for about €23 million and €17 million, respectively. In England, Elliot Anderson is sometimes compared to former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard. Perhaps this time, the story will unfold at Old Trafford.