Manchester United think they can beat City to £100m-rated Elliot Anderson

Manchester United remain intent on signing Elliot Anderson, with the club’s executives optimistic they can beat Manchester City in the race to acquire the 23-year-old midfielder, who is valued at about £100m by Nottingham Forest. Jason Wilcox, United’s director of football, is also monitoring Mateus Fernandes as another option to strengthen the midfield department of Michael Carrick’s squad. West Ham are believed to want in the region of £80m for the 21-year-old Portuguese, though this may prove an unrealistic fee. City are considered favourites to sign Anderson, who is expected to start in England’s opening World Cup match against Croatia on 17 June. Forest have rejected their initial £80m bid for the player and United believe he can be persuaded to move to Old Trafford. United have already agreed a €40.5m (£35m) deal with Atalanta for Éderson , the 26-year-old Brazil midfielder who is expected to be paid approximately £70,000-a-week at Old Trafford. Anderson’s salary at Forest is considerably higher, at about £100,000-a-week, and he can expect to receive a 50% increase on this, regardless of which Manchester club he moves to. Sir Jim Ratcliffe remains intent on trimming costs at United but the club’s co-owner would be prepared to meet Anderson’s wage demands should the former Newcastle United player decide to join United rather than City. Anderson has a contract until June 2029 with Forest but it is widely expected that he will depart this summer. …