Man Utd get ‘clear run’ at Elliot Anderson as €20m deal ‘gains momentum’

Manchester United’s next transfer priority will be a central midfielder, and the Red Devils have been told they have a clear run to sign Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest.

After spending the summer focusing on building their attack, United missed out on the midfielder they were widely expected to sign. A bid was made for Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, yet it was made very quickly clear by the Seagulls that no deal would be done.

Now Ruben Amorim’s side have been told they have a “clear run” to sign England international Anderson from Forest by the Manchester Evening News. It is a deal that would shake up the hierarchy of the midfield roles at Old Trafford.

The MEN quotes former United chief scout Mick Brown as having said: “Man United have been looking at Anderson. He’s done a tremendous job at Nottingham Forest and then he’s come into the England side and turned in a man-of-the-match performance. United see him as exactly the type of midfielder they would like to bring in.

“He gets up and down the park, he’s confident and secure in possession of the ball, and he’s not afraid to put in a tackle, which is something they need.”

Ruben Neves in Man Utd link

With Nottingham Forest set to demand around €85 million (£70m) for the 22-year-old, United are likely to be priced out of a January move, and Amorim is looking at a more immediate solution to the problem in the heart of the field.

Assuming he is still in his job come January, the Portuguese will look to sign compatriot Ruben Neves from Al-Hilal, Caught Offside claims.

The former Wolves midfielder is said to be rated around the €20m mark by the Saudi Pro League side, which would open up the possibility of a mid-season return to the Premier League.

United’s need for midfield reinforcements is made more urgent by claims from Trivela that Casemiro will be allowed to leave the club as a free agent next summer, despite seeing a recent boost to his status thanks to a ferocious fitness regime.

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