Man Utd 'hold talks' over £120m midfielder to transform Ruben Amorim's XI

Manchester United have reportedly made contact with Nottingham Forest regarding the potential signing of midfielder Elliot Anderson, who has been attracting attention from several top-tier clubs. The England international has been a standout performer for the Midlands team since his transfer from Newcastle in 2024, and his impressive displays at the City Ground have earned him a spot in the national team's squad ahead of next year's World Cup.

Unfortunately for Forest, Anderson's exceptional form has also caught the eye of some of their domestic competitors. Manchester City and Chelsea are interested in Anderson, but it is understood that United and Liverpool are also fans of the players, with the Red Devils now escalating their interest.

According to Sky in Germany, United executives have expressed their interest in the 23-year-old, making Forest aware of their intentions. However, the Europa League club are not interested in selling. The report suggests that Forest would require a fee in the region of £100m to £120m to even contemplate a sale, a sum United are unlikely to meet.

Anderson has just under four years remaining on the contract he signed at the City Ground last summer, putting Forest in a strong negotiating position.

The midfielder was acquired for approximately £35m, with Greek goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos moving in the opposite direction as both Newcastle and Forest strived to comply with PSR rules.

Since then, Anderson has made 56 appearances for Forest, finding the back of the net three times. He has also earned four caps for England. "I feel brimming with confidence after the Euros, and I want to keep that momentum," he told Telegraph Sport in an earlier interview this season.

"My focus there was purely on delivering my best performance and positioning myself optimally for the senior team. That's all I've done and that's what I'll continue to do.

"I'm in a really good place now. I need to maintain my performances at club level with Forest and see where it leads me.

"My main goal this season is to add some numbers [goals and assists] to my performances, which will likely elevate me to the next level." When asked if his transfer to Forest was unexpected, Anderson responded: "Yeah, 100 per cent. It certainly was. I didn't really anticipate it, but these are the new rules in football nowadays.

"I received a phone call while I was on holiday, informing me that I might be leaving. A few days later, I was en route to Nottingham.

"I feel full of confidence coming off the back end of the Euros, and I want to carry it on,"I've come to Forest and it's really benefitted me as a player, but maybe I didn't see it like that when I left Newcastle. Everything happens for a reason and it's been a great move for me. I'm really enjoying my football."