WagwanvibesNottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson is having a career season this year at the City Ground. He has become one of the best defensive midfielders in the Premier League, and has also now become a regular in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad ahead of the World Cup in the summer.
Man United have been linked to signing the Forest star as they are desperate to add more quality in the holding midfield role. However, recent reports have suggested that Forest will demand over £100m for Anderson, as they don’t want to sell him. That makes the potential of a January deal for United all but impossible, as they already spent £170m in the summer.
If United can’t sign Anderson, they have to look at other alternatives, and further than the Premier League. Brighton’s Carlos Baleba has previously been linked to them, but the Seagulls want over £100m for him, so United may have to get creative in their transfer choices in January.Suppose United are looking around for cheaper alternatives to Anderson. In that case, they should consider looking at La Liga, as Sevilla midfielder Lucien Agoume is proving himself to be one of the most exciting defensive midfielders in Europe.
Man United were linked to the 23-year-old Frenchman in the summer, but they decided against making a move for him. Reports have said that Sevilla will ask for at least £26m for Agoume, making him a much cheaper option than Anderson. Furthermore, he is young, like Anderson, but has more of a physical presence, which United certainly lacks in the middle of the park.
So far this season, Agoume has become a crucial player for Sevilla. He’s made nine La Liga appearances, scoring one goal, and providing one assist whilst playing in a full-on number six role. He joined Sevilla in 2024 from Inter Milan for a fee of just £7m, but even though Sevilla want at least £25m for him, he could be an absolute bargain for the Red Devils.
Agoume and Anderson are both comfortable on the ball, comfortable helping to create chances in transition, but they are also fantastic in terms of winning the ball in the middle of the park. However, according to Data MB’s player comparison tool, Anderson and Agoume are very similar in terms of their key statistics in midfield.
Anderson has better numbers in terms of passing; however, Agoume’s ball carrying is better, and his stats for winning duels in midfield are also better. The fact that United could get a player who the data indicates could be better than Anderson in certain aspects for just £26m seems a no-brainer.
Furthermore, the risk in signing Agoume is so much lower due to his cost, so even if he struggled early on, United could send him out on loan to help boost his confidence. Anderson is, of course, a better Premier League player because he is proven and has been fantastic, but it would be a mistake if United were to let Agoume slip through their fingers.
Wagwanvibes
admin
X