[Lyall Thomas] Man Utd, Arsenal and Man City transfers: Elliot Anderson, Sandro Tonali and Adam Wharton among midfielders on market

Sander berge for 20M would be sweet.

Interesting parts in the article

United are one club who would need to confirm who their next permanent manager is going to be to improve their position when it comes to Anderson – and the player may also want to seek assurances about Pep Guardiola’s future at City given the noise this season.

Prising Tonali out of Newcastle will not be easy, nor cheap. He is arguably their best asset and could command a fee as high as a Rice or Caicedo. He has a contract on Tyneside until 2029 at least, or 2030 if a year extension is taken up.

Wharton is on the lists at Arsenal, Manchester City and United – and Liverpool have been credited with an interest in the past, although central midfield is understood to be less of a priority for them than other areas heading into the summer.

Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba was Manchester United’s top midfield target in January and the club remain very interested in trying to sign him before the World Cup if they can. United hope that, with a drop off in his form, that valuation will not be as steep this time and they would like to make a statement signing, preferably in midfield, before the World Cup begins, and simultaneously as they announce their next permanent head coach.

Sky Sports News understands that Joao Gomes remains on Manchester United’s shortlist for new midfielders this summer and he may move up that list if the club are unable to land more preferred targets.

Sky Sports News understands both Manchester clubs have admiration for Bruno G but he would be further down their given their preference for a younger age profile.

Wharton just doesn’t make sense to me profile wise, considering we have Kobbie. We want a backup for Kobbie that can also play next to him as our starting 6. And Mainoo–Wharton is just not a complementary pairing, too similar, not physical enough.

Didn’t Tonali sign an extension in January, around the same time his agent started putting him in the shop window? I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s some type of release clause in there for CL clubs which journalists aren’t aware of

Depending on how things shake out, I would love to see Alex Scott as a cheaper option for one of those midfield spots.

looking at their prices, day by day I feel more irritated that we bought Ugarte to fund PSG’s Neves

I feel we will get Baleba for sure. And the second one will be a toss up between Anderson, Wharton, Tonaldo or Guimaraes – whichever is possible.

Anderson will be close to £100 mill and will have high wages to get him over the line if we get in a bidding battle with City. I’d happily take him but with the PL, Carabao, FA Cup and possible CL next season we need more reinforcment.

I’m guessing Tonali & Warton will be about £120+ mill and if we are continuing on the PL proven trend possibly Hall (Newcastle LB) and Ndiaye (Everton Winger) could be another £100+ mill. If we can take anything from outgoings (Sancho, Rashford, Malacia, Casemiro, Ugarte? and Zirkzee?) maybe another player or two.

As much as I’d love to get Anderson I just think we need reinforced with more players of quality than the one with a huge amount of it.

Just reminder here that scholes called lammens trash because his price was 20m.

Going to be an interesting window whatever happens. Realistically we need 3 midfielders in the summer, 2 just to deal with the extra games, 1 to replace casemiro and potentially a 4th should we manage to move ugarte on.

I think Anderson goes to city unfortunately but the rest we have a good shout at getting.

If I was Anderson and I had a choice between the Manchester clubs, my thought process would be:

1. Money
2. Short term vs long term

I think City is likely to go through post Pep hangover in near future (< 3 years) and like we have seen with United after Fergie, Liverpool after Klopp, Arsenal after Wenger, there would be a lull. This lull coincides with my highlight years.

Choice is clear, boys.

Red.