Man City lead Man Utd in Anderson race – Wednesday’s gossip

Manchester City have stolen a march on bitter rivals Manchester United in the battle to secure Nottingham Forest’s 23-year-old England midfielder Elliot Anderson, with the Premier League champions poised to accelerate negotiations ahead of this summer’s World Cup, according to the Mail.

While Pep Guardiola’s side push to wrap up a deal, United have received encouragement in their pursuit of 25-year-old Italy international Sandro Tonali after Newcastle United signalled a willingness to consider offers for their star names if the price is right, the Sun reports.

Liverpool, meanwhile, have identified Juventus winger Francisco Conceicao as a potential successor to Mohamed Salah, with the 23-year-old Portugal international earmarked to fill the void once the 33-year-old Egyptian departs at season’s end, Gazzetta dello Sport notes.

United’s midfield rebuilding plans could also include 25-year-old Brazilian Joao Gomes, with Wolves ready to sanction a £39 million exit should relegation be confirmed, Caught Offside understands.

At the back, Toulouse’s 23-year-old English defender Charlie Cresswell has emerged as a prime target, with United currently favourites to land the centre-half, Teamtalk claims.

Bayern Munich have ruled themselves out of a move for Manchester City’s 25-year-old England playmaker Phil Foden, citing budget constraints, Bild reports.

Netherlands striker Joshua Zirkzee, 24, is keen to remain at Old Trafford next term, believing opportunities will arise under Michael Carrick if the Englishman continues as manager, the Mail adds.

Arsenal and Manchester City head the queue for Newcastle’s 23-year-old England full-back Tino Livramento, should contract talks at St James’ Park stall, Football Insider says.

Villarreal are plotting a summer swoop for Crystal Palace’s 28-year-old Senegal winger Ismaila Sarr, Fichajes reveals.

Real Madrid’s hopes of signing Borussia Dortmund’s 26-year-old Germany defender Nico Schlotterbeck have been revived after the player denied being close to a new deal, AS notes.

Manchester United expect to raise more than £100 million from player sales, with 28-year-old England forward Marcus Rashford, currently on loan at Barcelona, among five earmarked for exits, Sky Sports reports.

Barcelona are monitoring Benfica’s 21-year-old Norway winger Andreas Schjelderup as a fallback if they opt against a permanent move for Rashford, Record says.

Finally, Real Madrid have moved France striker Hugo Ekitike, 23, up their shortlist after his eye-catching debut campaign at Liverpool, Teamtalk concludes.