Anderson plays in the World Cup, while Manchester wages a "big battle" at home

Even as Elliot Anderson prepares for the 2026 World Cup with the England squad, he continues to be the center of attention in the summer transfer window.

Manchester United (MU) has no intention of giving up on the Anderson deal and is ready to snatch the target from under Man City's nose.

Not Declan Rice or Kobbie Mainoo, but Anderson is the most watchable midfielder for the England team at this year's World Cup. The Nottingham Forest midfielder excels at interceptions and possesses impressive creative abilities. His record of 11 assists for Nottingham Forest over two seasons is clear proof. It would come as no surprise if Anderson becomes an indispensable part of Thomas Tuchel's tactical plans. His value is expected to rise further after the World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

That is why both Manchester clubs are eager to secure Anderson's deal and want to finalize it before the 2026 World Cup begins. Man City took the lead by submitting an £80 million offer to Nottingham Forest. Signals from the City Ground indicate they are demanding a minimum fee of £100 million for the 23-year-old midfielder.

Therefore, the opportunity is not entirely lost for MU. The leadership of the red half of Manchester is ready to go all in for Anderson, despite having already signed midfielder Ederson from Atalanta for £35 million. They need a quality midfielder with Premier League experience like him for Michael Carrick's squad rebuild ahead of next season.

The midfield will see the most upheaval. Casemiro left after the previous season ended. Manuel Ugarte's future is in serious doubt as the Uruguayan midfielder has failed to adapt to the Premier League after two years at Old Trafford. Apart from new signing Ederson, MU only has Mainoo and Bruno Fernandes as reliable midfielders. This gives MU confidence to pursue Anderson, as they are willing to double his current £100,000-per-week wages at Nottingham Forest. Anderson's advantage if he chooses MU is that he won't need much time to adapt. If he goes to Man City, he would need time to learn a possession-based passing style. Conversely, MU would see Anderson as a direct replacement for Casemiro in midfield. The 23-year-old's intercepting ability will be fully utilized.

Although the opportunity remains, MU must act quickly if they want to secure Anderson. Man City is ready to submit another offer, and it is likely that their figure could match or exceed the £100 million mark. Both clubs do not want to drag the Anderson deal beyond the 2026 World Cup. Nottingham Forest is prepared to make the 23-year-old midfielder the most expensive transfer in Premier League history. The current Premier League transfer record belongs to striker Alexander Isak, who joined Liverpool from Newcastle for £125 million last summer. If Anderson shines and England goes far, Nottingham Forest is ready to set a similar transfer fee to the Isak deal.

History shows that MU has often snatched transfer targets from under Man City's nose. Can Carrick's team turn the tables this time in the Anderson deal, when the advantage currently lies with Man City?