Manchester United have placed Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson at the top of their transfer list ahead of next summer’s transfer window, according to Mirror reporter John Cross.
The Red Devils were keen to land Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Carlos Baleba towards the end of this summer’s window, but they were unable to land him with the Seagulls unwilling to budge on their £100m valuation of the 21-year-old.
While the Cameroon international remains a target, he has been overtaken by Anderson in Manchester United‘s wishlist.
Man Utd Make Anderson No.1 Transfer Target for 2026
According to Cross, United manager Ruben Amorim and owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe are in the market for two ‘huge’ midfield signings at the end of the season, with Anderson the top target and Baleba the other potential big deal in the pipeline.
The Brighton star is still keen on a move to Old Trafford – as he was in the summer – while the Red Devils are huge fans of Anderson’s profile following his rise with Nottingham Forest, which has seen him cement his spot in Thomas Tuchel’s England side.
His ability to play as a No.6 as well as a marauding midfielder means Ratcliffe is ready to pull out of the stops to bring him to the club, with GIVEMESPORT senior reporter Ben Jacobs claiming that he will cost at least £50m.
Doubts Over Man United Midfield Quartet
If Manchester United were to seal a big-money double signing of Anderson and Baleba – or other midfielders – it would raise big question marks over some of the players currently in Amorim’s contingent.
Casemiro’s Old Trafford career has seemed over at various points during the last couple of seasons, but the 33-year-old Brazilian has started to emerge as a key player again this term.
However, his contract is due to expire at the end of the campaign and while United have a 12-month option to extend it, they may choose instead to offload him and his massive wages in 2026.
A slightly more surprising exit would be Bruno Fernandes.
United’s captain has started all 11 of their Premier League matches this term, but there are still questions marks as to whetether there is a long-term spot for him in central midfield in Amorim’s 3-4-3 system.
If Anderson and Baleba did arrive at Old Trafford you’d expect them quickly cement themselves as the first-choice midfield duo, which would leave Fernandes out of the starting XI.
The Portugal star has been linked with a switch to Saudi in the last 12 months, and maybe next summer it could finally come to fruition.
Meanwhile, Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte have both found first-team minutes limited this term, with Amorim reportedly calling out the latter in front of his teammates.
United academy graduate Mainoo is well-documented to want to explore a loan exit from Old Trafford in January ahead of the 2026 World Cup, with his current exclusion from the XI suggesting he needs a big turnaround to save his Red Devils career while Amorim is manager.