Ratcliffe backs £100m Anderson bid as United eye Leeds keeper Darlow for backup role

Manchester United are pursuing Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson in what would be one of the summer’s biggest transfers, with co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe prepared to sanction the reported £100m fee and meet the player’s wage demands.

Forest have already rejected an £80m opening bid from Manchester City, who remain favourites to sign the 23-year-old. According to The Guardian, United believe they can convince Anderson to choose Old Trafford over the Etihad, with Ratcliffe willing to back the move financially. Anderson currently earns approximately £100,000 per week at Forest and would likely receive a 50 per cent pay rise at either Manchester club.

Anderson’s form last season caught the eye despite Forest’s relegation battle, and he is expected to feature prominently for England at the World Cup. United have already secured an early agreement for Atalanta midfielder Ederson, but manager Michael Carrick is keen to strengthen the engine room further ahead of a campaign that will include Champions League football. West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes is among other midfield targets also under consideration.

In a separate development, United are reportedly exploring a move for Leeds United goalkeeper Karl Darlow as a backup option. The 35-year-old made 22 league appearances for Daniel Farke’s side last season and is being assessed as a potential deputy to first-choice goalkeeper Senne Lammens. According to the Daily Mail, both Altay Bayindir and Andre Onana are not considered part of the club’s plans going forward, making Darlow — who has also attracted interest from Tottenham — a candidate to fill that understudy role.

United’s push for reinforcements comes after Carrick oversaw a significant upturn in results to secure Champions League qualification, raising the stakes for an active and well-targeted summer window.