Manchester clubs vie for young midfielders Fernandes and Anderson

Manchester United are reported to be ahead of Liverpool in the race to sign 21‑year‑old Portuguese midfielder Mateus Fernandes from West Ham United. West Ham are asking close to €80 million, while United are prepared to spend up to €55 million. Liverpool remain interested and could act if United fail to reach an agreement.

In a separate negotiation, Nottingham Forest have turned down an initial high bid from Manchester City for their midfielder Elliot Anderson. City are eager to sign Anderson, whose performances this season earned a call‑up to the England squad, and Forest aim to set a new British transfer record that would exceed the €120 million paid for Declan Rice in 2023.