[Wheeler, Salt] Major updates on club’s pursuit of Elliot Anderson, Sandro Tonali and Adam Wharton as rivals make move, twist in Joshua Zirkzee’s future and loan exile targeting shock Old Trafford comeback

# What’s going on with Elliot Anderson?

The million dollar question that Anderson himself did little to clear up when speaking alongside England boss Thomas Tuchel on Monday.

Anderson, as previously reported, has been United’s No 1 target for several months now.

United’s recruitment team work from shortlists when it comes to their targets and that paid off with moves for Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo last summer. Anderson is seen at United as the player that would raise the quality of the midfield the most due to his wide-ranging skillset as a hybrid No 6/No 8.

**The issue those in agent circles speak of around Anderson is that Manchester City** also have the Nottingham Forest midfielder **as priority No 1 and they are understood to be ahead in the race right now.**

**While we are not at a ‘done deal’ stage yet – United wouldn’t be pursuing meetings and still pushing for him if that were the case – the word right now is that City are looking to accelerate their move prior to the World Cup,** with both Manchester clubs wary that Anderson’s £100m price tag could rise even further if he impresses in North America.

**With meetings ongoing and more expected to come out across the next 10 to 14 days on situations around big-name players, United need to make a big play to try and blow City** – who are increasingly confident they will be able to start a midfield rebuild with Anderson as the centrepiece – **out of the water.**

# Is Sandro Tonali still in the mix?

**In short, yes.**

**But suggestions last week that a deal was about to be struck, or close to agreement, were premature and too strong, leading to a downplaying of it all as of today.**

Tonali would be expensive, that much we know, but there is a belief that Newcastle will sell a major asset this summer and would rather it not be Bruno Guimaraes or Lewis Hall.

**The Italian remains high on United’s board and while some insiders have been keen to cool talk around him in the past few days, his name is not going to disappear off it, especially if Anderson to City edges closer.**

United have spent recent months determined to land at least one A-grade midfielder, with Anderson top of their wishlist.

**But Tonali is expected to be a moveable asset -** albeit an expensive one – this summer **and when that materialises, expect United to be front of the queue.**

# What about Adam Wharton?

**Wharton is another midfielder in United’s thinking, albeit behind both Anderson and Tonali, and will likely prove a major domino in this summer’s window.**

***Confidential*** **can reveal that Real Madrid are back in play here and the Spanish giants sent a scout to watch him live in the past fortnight.**

Madrid’s plan this summer is to sign Nico Paz from Como, and then add a second central midfielder, with Wharton understood to be third on that list behind Rodri and Enzo Fernandez, who is eager to leave Chelsea.

Chelsea, who have also asked to be kept up to date with Wharton’s situation, are another rival for his signature.

**United like Wharton, whom insiders expect to be available in the £60-70m region, but there are some concerns that his style of play is too similar to Kobbie Mainoo’s and that they would not be able to operate as a partnership.**

Despite financial concerns at Crystal Palace – they will sell Jean-Philippe Mateta and Daichi Kamada will leave as a free agent – *Confidential* has been told the London side are not under pressure to sell Wharton as some have previously suggested.

**If Plan A is Anderson, and Plan B is Tonali, Wharton finds himself closer to being Plan C.**

City and just endlessly buying 100m midfielders while still having the one they claim to be the best ever, pep and his plucky underdogs strike again!

City restructure their midfield every season it seems and we’ve made it our lowest priority for about 20 years

Have a feeling we’re gearing up towards a disaster of a transfer window.

Prioritizing Tonali over Wharton is idiotic. There are 10 other midfielders in the premier league alone that do what Tonali can do. No one else does what Wharton can do and add to the team

Major updates?

I think these reports are annoying because they always say that City is ahead for Anderson without explaining why specifically that is the case.

Angelo Stiller is right there.

I would go for Baleba and Wharton quickly and get them sorted, then if Ugarte leaves consider a cheaper option from a relegated team – Gray, J Gomes, Fernandes etc.