Manchester United look to sign midfielder Elliot Anderson in January. Will Real Madrid reassess transfer plan?

Ball recovery rate, mobility, and ability to move forward. These are the factors that have reportedly influenced Manchester United's decision to track Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson, a Spanish media report said. The Red Devils are considering making a bid for the 22-year-old in January, the report added.

Former Newcastle United talent Elliot Anderson reportedly joined Forest for a sum around £35 million and has established himself as one of the most valuable young players in the Premier League. United were said to be keeping an eye on him before, but nothing materialised. The driving force behind United wanting to make an offer in winter is the very likely possibility of his asking price going further up by the summer, the Spanish news outlet pointed out.

 

Since his arrival, the Englishman has established himself as a mainstay in the team's midfield. However, Forest does not have a release clause to facilitate his departure and has set a very high price to even consider selling him, Fichajes said in a report. United will have to shell out anything between £100 and £120 million even to remain in the race, the report added.

 

As per the report, Manchester United see Anderson as a signing for the future. They don't hope him to make an immediate impact but to help them in the long run — gradually becoming a part of their long-term project.

Who are the other contenders for Elliot?

Anderson came under the radar of the Spanish media after Real Madrid was linked to him. While not an immediate target, the Los Blancos were reportedly looking at him as someone who can work alongside Arda Güler and Jude Bellingham without affecting their natural game. However, Real were not going to do anything about him before Nico Paz returned from Como and tried integrating with Bellingham and Güler, Fichajes had said.

FULL REPORT | Real Madrid transfers: Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson being tracked by Los Blancos for 2026

Forest are in no hurry anyway as the youngster is contracted with them until 2029. Initially, he was said to cost at least €70 million, but latest reports said the asking price has almost doubled as Elliot remains in prime form for Sean Dyche's team, who are reeling at 19th in the league. Thus, it seems unlikely that Real will speed-track their plan for him in the light of United's reignited interest.

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