Why Both Manchester United And Newcastle Are Racing To Sign Elliot Anderson At A £100m + Price Tag
Nottingham Forest have endured a turbulent start to the 2025–26 Premier League season. After nine matches, they sit in the relegation zone with only five points collected, a far cry from the European hopes that surrounded them at the end of last season.
Their performances have been inconsistent, with flashes of attacking promise but defensive fragility costing them crucial points. Despite the chaos, one constant has been Elliot Anderson. The 22-year-old midfielder, who arrived from Newcastle United in July 2024 for about £35 million, has developed into one of Forest’s most reliable players.
Anderson’s growth has been steady and evident. In the current campaign, he has started nine league matches, contributing one assist while ranking among the league’s top midfielders for recoveries and tackles.
His ability to glide past opponents, link phases of play, and combine relentless energy with technical balance has made him Forest’s heartbeat. Even in defeats, his performances stand out for intensity and maturity, often dictating tempo when others falter.
The highlight of his rise remains that crucial goal in the 2–1 victory over Tottenham last April, a performance that temporarily propelled Forest into contention for European qualification. That night summed up everything clubs now admire about him: confidence, work rate, and composure in high-pressure moments.
Forest may be struggling collectively this season, but Anderson’s consistency amid instability has only enhanced his stock across the league.
Why Manchester United Need Anderson
Manchester United’s ongoing rebuild has left glaring gaps in midfield. While Casemiro has shown signs of decline, Kobbie Mainoo is not in the manager’s plans, and Manuel Ugarte is struggling for consistency, the team continues to search for a dynamic box-to-box option capable of progressing play while still contributing defensively.
Anderson fits that description almost perfectly. He would provide a blend of drive, stamina, and press resistance that United have sorely missed. His close control under pressure and ability to transition from defense to attack suit the profile Ruben Amorim wants to develop at Old Trafford.
Anderson’s youth and Premier League experience make him a rare commodity, someone who can immediately adapt to the physical tempo of the league while still carrying the potential for further development.
United’s scouts view him as a player who could grow into the role currently occupied by Mason Mount, Bruno Fernandes, or even compete directly with Kobbie Mainoo for a starting spot. Moreover, his English nationality strengthens homegrown quotas, which have become increasingly valuable for big clubs managing squad composition.
Reports from OneFootball and Yahoo Sports suggest United have already expressed formal interest and are prepared to test Forest’s valuation next summer. With the club prioritizing a modern midfielder capable of both pressing and progressing, Anderson ticks every box that the recruitment department has been chasing since last summer.
Why Newcastle United Are Still In The Race
For Newcastle United, Anderson’s potential return carries emotional weight and strategic value. He is a product of their academy, once regarded as a cornerstone of their future before financial pressures and Profitability & Sustainability Rules forced the club to sell him in 2024. Since then, Eddie Howe has openly admitted that letting Anderson leave was one of the more painful business decisions during their compliance phase.
Reacquiring him would not just be a sentimental move but a statement that Newcastle are now back in full control of their finances and direction.
Anderson’s profile fits their high-intensity system, offering the versatility to operate as either a central midfielder or advanced playmaker depending on the opposition.
His ability to press and cover ground aligns with Howe’s approach, while his creativity from deep could complement Bruno Guimarães and Sandro Tonali once the Italian returns to full match rhythm.
The biggest obstacle remains the valuation. Nottingham Forest are under no pressure to sell and reportedly have no release clause in his contract, meaning any deal will have to satisfy their £100 million-plus expectations.
For Newcastle, that would require either record-breaking expenditure or player-plus-cash arrangements. Even so, insiders around St James’ Park have hinted that there is “a chance,” noting that the player himself remains fond of his boyhood club and maintains strong ties to Tyneside.
The Transfer Equation: Price, Timing And Fit
Every factor in this saga points toward a fascinating summer ahead. Forest’s valuation, said to be between £100 million and £120 million, places Anderson among the most expensive English midfielders in history.
The absence of a release clause gives Forest full control, ensuring negotiations only advance on their terms. They know Anderson’s value will keep rising if he sustains form across the season, and their precarious league position means they may choose to cash in only if relegation pressures demand it.
From a timing perspective, both Manchester United and Newcastle will approach the situation carefully. United must first address their budget allocation across positions, especially if other targets like Jonathan Baleba or Adam Wharton remain on the radar. Newcastle, on the other hand, will wait until their Profitability & Sustainability calculations for the 2025–26 cycle are confirmed before committing to a nine-figure bid.
Beyond numbers, fit will dictate the final decision. At Old Trafford, Anderson would join a midfield still finding balance between creativity and control. His arrival could modernize United’s engine room, giving them a player who embodies both energy and discipline.
