Manchester United are ready to pull out of the race to sign Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson, with ESPN sources reporting that Manchester City have made an offer worth more than £120 million including performance-related bonuses.
Manchester United Step Back Over Forest Valuation
United had made Anderson one of their top targets for the summer transfer window as they look to strengthen midfield, but concerns over Nottingham Forest's valuation have pushed club officials to step back from the chase.
ESPN reported that United initially valued the 23-year-old England midfielder between £80m and £90m. The club are reluctant to enter a bidding war with Manchester City, especially with concerns that Anderson would prefer a move to the Etihad Stadium if he leaves Forest.
Manchester City Bid Changes Anderson Market
City's offer, worth a total of more than £120m when performance-related bonuses are included, has changed the shape of the pursuit. Anderson is expected to play a key role for England at the World Cup and is in high demand in Premier League transfer planning.
For United, the issue now appears less about admiration for the player and more about price, competition and leverage. That is not glamorous, but it is usually where expensive transfer races are decided.
United Midfield Search And Rashford Deadline
United remain in the market for at least one more midfielder. ESPN reported that a deal with Atalanta for Brazil international Ederson has already been agreed, while Mateus Fernandes, Alex Scott and Sandro Tonali are also of interest.
The Anderson decision sits alongside another United deadline. Sources told ESPN that Barcelona have not yet informed United whether they will trigger their €30m option to make Marcus Rashford's move permanent, with the Spanish club having until June 15 to decide.
Rashford is under contract at Old Trafford until 2028. If he cannot secure a move away, he is expected back at Carrington after the World Cup for preseason, where head coach Michael Carrick and director of football Jason Wilcox would decide how to handle the situation.
Carrick took over from Ruben Amorim in January and was appointed permanent head coach on an initial two-year contract in May. Last summer, Rashford was made to train away from the first-team group after input from Amorim, a reminder that United's midfield rebuild is not the only delicate piece of business waiting after the tournament.