Manchester City are understood to be positioning themselves at the front of the queue for the Premier League rising star and a ready to defeat their local rivals Manchester United in the transfer battle.
Pep Guardiola is interested in Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson, with the Sky Blues now treating the England international as a central part of their long-term planning beyond 2026.
Sources cited by the Daily Mail suggest that Forest may be prepared to sanction a mid-season sale if their valuation — thought to be around £100m — is met in full.
While that price point had initially seemed prohibitive, City are willing to act early amid increasing competition from domestic rivals.
Manchester United had been confident of securing Anderson for a substantially lower sum, with information received in recent weeks indicating the club believed a package in the region of £60m might be enough to convince Forest to negotiate.
That optimism now appears misplaced. As one of Forest’s most important performers this season, there is little surprise the Midlands club are insisting on a figure close to their full asking price, particularly with the January window approaching.
Anderson’s rapid rise has become one of the more notable Premier League storylines of the current campaign.
His influence on the Forest midfield, coupled with eye-catching displays for England, has generated significant interest from clubs across the league, with several long-term admirers now considering formal approaches.
Liverpool, Chelsea and Newcastle maintain interest
The 23-year-old’s emergence has not gone unnoticed elsewhere. Reporting from The Times has linked him with Liverpool, who are reviewing midfield options as part of their own longer-term restructuring.
Chelsea are also understood to be weighing his profile seriously as the club prepares for another substantial investment in the centre of the pitch.
Journalist Ben Jacobs recently highlighted another contender, telling Geordie Boot Boys that Anderson’s former club, Newcastle United, should not be dismissed from the conversation.
Jacobs noted that the midfielder never wanted to leave them in the first place, an insight that could prove relevant if Forest eventually decide to open a full bidding process.
Despite that, the momentum currently sits with Manchester City. Pep Guardiola’s side have endured an unsettled period at the base of the midfield, most notably due to Rodri’s limited availability.
The Spain international missed significant stretches of last season and has again struggled with persistent issues this term, a challenge that has forced Guardiola to rely on makeshift solutions at key moments.
Pep Guardiola is interested in Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson as City’s hierarchy view him as an ideal long-term successor to Rodri. He’s a midfielder capable of dictating rhythm, maintaining defensive structure and progressing possession at Premier League tempo.
His consistency for Forest reflects a maturity beyond his years and, crucially for City, a skill set that aligns with their ball-dominant approach.
The City’s willingness to prioritise Anderson at this stage signals how seriously they regard the need to reinforce their midfield core.
With Bernardo Silva entering the latter stages of his career and Guardiola’s side transitioning into a new competitive cycle, Anderson fits the club’s broader timeline for renewal.
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Similarly, Manchester United’s need is also acute. Casemiro, who delivered an outstanding first season at Old Trafford, now appears to be approaching the twilight of his peak years, while Manuel Ugarte has yet to fully convince since arriving in the summer.
Amorim, known for building teams around powerful and technically disciplined midfield pivots, could have benefitted significantly from Anderson’s attributes.
However, with City now accelerating their efforts, United may find themselves in a reactive position.
City, for their part, have been keen to avoid protracted January negotiations in previous years. If the club determines Anderson is the right strategic fit, it would not be unprecedented for them to take decisive action early in the window.
