Manchester City’s pursuit of Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson has continued to gather pace this summer.
The negotiation is now moving into a decisive stage as the Premier League side edge closer to what could become a record-breaking transfer.
Former Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero has now offered his assessment of the move, as the club prepare to submit a third formal bid in an attempt to bridge the financial gap with Forest.
Owner Evangelos Marinakis is understood to be holding firm on a valuation in the region of £130 million, with around £110 million expected to be paid upfront if a deal is eventually struck.
The midfielder himself has already agreed personal terms, and his growing involvement in international duty has only underlined how advanced discussions have become.
England manager Thomas Tuchel has granted Anderson permission to undergo a medical during the FIFA World Cup in North America. The privilege is a rare indication of how far negotiations have progressed at this stage of the tournament.
The move has also taken on added urgency following Bernardo Silva’s departure to Real Madrid, leaving a significant creative and physical void in midfield.
City are now seeking fresh energy and durability in the centre of the pitch as they prepare for a new era under incoming head coach Enzo Maresca.
Anderson’s profile, in particular, has been identified as one capable of offering both immediate impact and future development.
Aguero’s assessment and midfield evolution
Sergio Aguero, who remains Manchester City’s all-time leading goalscorer and one of the most influential figures in the club’s modern history, spoke about Anderson’s potential during a recent conversation with Stake as reported by City Xtra
His comments have naturally drawn attention among supporters, even though he holds no formal role in current transfer decisions.
Offering his view on the midfielder’s qualities and City’s interest, Aguero said: “From what I’ve read, City are currently leading the race for Anderson.”
He expanded on Anderson’s playing style, highlighting the balance he believes the midfielder could bring to City’s engine room.
“He’s a very complete box-to-box player who wins the ball back and helps create play. He covers a lot of ground.”
The Argentine also drew a cautious comparison with Bernardo Silva, acknowledging that while the two players are not identical in style, Anderson could still play a significant role in the team’s evolution.
- Sandro Tonali drops transfer hint as he chooses his next club between Man City and Tottenham
- Fabrizio Romano reveals what Man City are preparing for Elliot Anderson in a transfer twist
“With Bernardo’s departure, although they have different characteristics, he could play a very important role in the team if the transfer is completed.”
Despite growing optimism around the deal, City and Forest are still negotiating the structure of the payment package, which has proven to be the main stumbling block in reaching an agreement.
Aguero’s endorsement, while informal, reflects a broader sentiment among sections of the fanbase who view the potential signing as a statement of intent.
However, as the former striker himself acknowledged, the outcome is far from guaranteed.
His own caveat — “if the transfer is completed” — underlines the reality that negotiations remain ongoing and no agreement has yet been finalised.
