United handed clear run to snap up ideal target as chief competitor for his signature hits roadblock – report

Manchester United have been handed a major boost in their bid to snap up Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson after a major update involving Newcastle. United keen on Anderson Over the past few months, Anderson has emerged as one of the best midfielders in the Premier League. He leads the charts in a number of metrics and was a key pillar behind Forest’s success under Nuno Espirito Santo last season. Forest’s form has taken a slight dip this term but Anderson’s levels remain high. This has put him on the radar of a number of top clubs, with United believed to be one of them. United are planning a midfield overhaul next summer and Anderson features highly on their list alongside the likes of Carlos Baleba (Brighton and Hove Albion) and Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace). A report covered by The Peoples Person relayed that Anderson is open to joining United. Forest don’t want to sell him and have slapped a hefty £100m price tag on his head. The other club being strongly linked with a move for Anderson is his former team, Newcastle. Anderson came through the ranks at Newcastle but was sold last summer as part of Newcastle’s efforts to comply with the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules. The 23-year-old was an option for Eddie Howe but found himself behind more established stars such as Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali and Joelinton in the pecking order. According to Craig Hope of the Daily Mail, Anderson would likely not hesitate to return to St James’ Park but the Magpies’ chances of winning the race for his signature are slim. Anderson to Newcastle update Hope states, “This might not be what Newcastle fans want to hear, but my information is that the chances are fairly low. Would there be a desire from Eddie Howe and Wilson to explore the possibility?” “Yes, absolutely. Howe never wanted to sell Anderson and Wilson was part of the transfer team at Nottingham Forest who bought the midfielder in the summer of 2024, for what was, in effect, just £15million.” The newspaper notes that there are two reasons Newcastle will not sign Anderson. First, there is the mega fee it will take to snap him up. The Tyneside outfit simply aren’t in a position to fork out excessive sums on one player. Secondly, Anderson is expected to have his pick of clubs, which is likely to include teams that are in a far better position than Newcastle. United and Manchester City are named as two parties poised to try and sign him. With Newcastle almost certainly out of the running for Anderson, United have a clear path to go on and add Anderson to their ranks. Featured image Carl Recine via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Derick Kinoti Derick Kinoti is a football writer at The Peoples Person who has covered Manchester United and the Premier League extensively for years. His work blends sharp analysis, tactical insight, and engaging storytelling that resonates with fans around the world. Derick has gained valuable experience in football journalism, developing strong expertise in SEO writing, digital content creation, and social media engagement. A tech enthusiast with a Computer Science degree from the University of Nairobi, he ultimately swapped code for football commentary, bringing an analytical, detail-oriented approach to his writing. Derick is convinced Wayne Rooney is the true GOAT and won’t hear otherwise!