One of the most talked-about transfer stories of the summer is heating up fast. Manchester City are now said to be in pole position to sign Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson, with Sky Sports reporting that the Premier League giants are leading the chase despite serious interest from Manchester United and Arsenal. The price tag being discussed? Somewhere between £90 million and £100 million — and Forest may push for considerably more.
The 23-year-old England international has been one of the standout performers in the Premier League this season, and his performances have not gone unnoticed by the biggest clubs in the country. What started as whispers has turned into a full-blown transfer saga, with some Nottingham Forest players themselves reportedly letting slip that Anderson is heading to City this summer.
Why Manchester City Are Leading the Race
City's interest in Anderson is not a sudden development. The club has admired how the midfielder has grown since his £35 million move to Forest from Newcastle United in the summer of 2024. In just one season at the City Ground, he has elevated himself from a promising young player to one of the most sought-after central midfielders in English football — no small achievement in a league this competitive.
According to reports, City are prepared to put together what is being described as a "very important offer," and relations between the two clubs are understood to be excellent. That goodwill could prove decisive when negotiations get serious. INEOS, who hold a stake at Manchester United as well as City, are said to privately believe the deal is all but done — which tells its own story.
Manchester United and Arsenal Refuse to Walk Away
The twist in this story is that Manchester United have not given up the fight. Despite the growing belief that City will get their man, United are reportedly preparing a colossal bid in an attempt to stun their rivals. Anderson is exactly the kind of dynamic, technically gifted midfielder that United have been crying out for in recent years — someone who can press, carry, and create — and the club's recruitment team has no intention of stepping aside without making City work for it.
Arsenal are also in the mix. Mikel Arteta has always valued midfielders who combine pressing intensity with technical quality and ball progression — all traits Anderson has developed into genuine strengths. Whether the Gunners make a concrete move remains to be seen, but they are watching this situation closely and are not ready to rule themselves out.
What Anderson Would Bring to Any Club
Anderson is the kind of midfielder who makes a team better in every phase of play. He can win the ball in his own half, carry it past opponents under pressure, and arrive in advanced areas to contribute goals and assists when it matters most. He is physically strong, technically clean, and — crucially — he has handled the pressure of a major transfer saga with total professionalism, letting his football do the talking.
At 23, he is only going to keep improving. Whichever club lands him this summer is not just buying quality for the present — they are investing in someone who could be a cornerstone of their squad for the next decade.
Forest's Position: Name Your Price
Nottingham Forest know exactly what they have. The club has set an asking price that some reports put as high as €145 million, though more grounded estimates place the realistic fee at £90-100 million. Either way, Forest are not giving their prize asset away cheaply, and they are under no pressure to do so. When clubs of City, United, and Arsenal's stature are all circling, you hold the cards for as long as you choose.
The summer window is still weeks away from opening, but this is exactly the kind of story that dominates the build-up. Expect more bids, counter-bids, and leaks before it is all said and done. For now, the ball is in Manchester City's court — and from the look of things, they fully intend to play it.
Follow SoloScore for all the latest transfer news as the summer window approaches.
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