Manchester United have registered their interest in signing an “incredible” star, but they will have to shell out a huge fee to get a deal done, with it being revealed his club could demand £120m.
Man Utd looking to sign new midfielder despite Casemiro resurgence
Ruben Amorim’s faith in Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro as a midfield pair has paid off in recent weeks, with his side winning their last three Premier League games on the bounce, and the Brazilian has caught the eye with his recent performances.
Having returned to form, scoring in the 4-2 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion at the weekend, Rio Ferdinand hit out at Jamie Carragher for his previous comments about the midfielder.
Ferdinand said: “Players lose confidence, they lose form, sometimes players’ legs go, but I think the call was too early and I thought it was highly disrespectful for someone who’s achieved so much in the game.”
However, given the level of Fernandes and Casemiro’s recent performances, with the former assisting Harry Maguire’s winning goal at Anfield, it has been difficult for Kobbie Mainoo to force his way into the side, and speculation over the 20-year-old’s future persists.
Doubts over Mainoo, coupled with the fact Casemiro is now 33 and has one year remaining on his contract, may exacerbate the need for Amorim to bring in a new midfielder, and Man United have now registered their interest in Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson.
That is according to an update from Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg on X, who states the Red Devils are “closely monitoring” Anderson, alongside Premier League rivals Newcastle United.
Forest are aware of the interest from elsewhere, and Plettenberg reveals the Premier League strugglers are expected to demand £100m – £120m to sanction a departure, given that there is no release clause in the midfielder’s contract.
"Incredible" Anderson could flourish at Old Trafford
Widespread recent reports have suggested United do not plan to trigger the extension in Casemiro’s contract, which means Amorim will need to bring in a new midfielder next summer, and the Forest star could be the ideal heir.
Much like the former Real Madrid man, the English midfielder flourishes defensively, as showcased by his performance across several important metrics per 90 over the past year.
Average per 90 (past year)
Casemiro
Elliot Anderson
Tackles
4.11 (99th percentile)
2.95 (88th percentile)
Clearances
2.65 (91st percentile)
2.06 (76th percentile)
Aerials won
2.11 (92nd percentile)
1.64 (84th percentile)
While United’s current midfielder may have the edge at the moment, the England international is still very young at 22-years-old, meaning he has plenty of time to develop, and he is more impressive in possession of the ball.
Lauded as “incredible” by journalist Miles Starforth, the former Newcastle man recently put in a commanding performance for the Three Lions, completing 121 passes in the 5-0 victory over Latvia, 32 more than any other player.
That said, while Anderson has been impressing for club and country, it is probably a little early for his value to be £120m, which would make the central midfielder by far the most expensive signing in Man United history.
