Manchester City is preparing to snatch Elliot Anderson from Manchester United in a battle that promises to shake up the transfer market this summer. The young midfielder, 23, currently at Nottingham Forest, is set to leave the City Ground, with the Manchester giant emerging as the favorite to secure his promising talent, surpassing the competition from their historic rival.
According to sources close to the transfer, Elliot Anderson has shown an increasing inclination to head to the Etihad Stadium, turning down offers from Old Trafford. After an impressive 2025/26 season under Vitor Pereira, where he participated in all matches of the Premier League and was a key player in keeping Forest in the English elite, the English midfielder is ready to take a decisive step in his career.
The ambition of Manchester City is clear: to secure one of the biggest prospects in English football while starting a new era following Pep Guardiola’s departure. With Enzo Maresca, former Chelsea manager, being touted as the likely successor on the Citizens’ bench, signing Anderson is a top priority, although a formal agreement has yet to be reached.
Manchester United, for its part, remains in the race, determined to strengthen its midfield for the 2026–27 season. The team, managed by Michael Carrick, had the opportunity to verify Anderson’s quality recently when the player shone with two decisive assists against the Red Devils at Old Trafford. However, despite the interest, the United recruitment officials do not want to enter a bidding war, maintaining a firm stance regarding the player’s valuation. This strategy may give an advantage to City in the initial negotiations.
The final transfer fee promises to be historic, potentially exceeding the current British record of £105 million, the amount Arsenal paid West Ham for international Declan Rice. Nottingham Forest has a strong negotiating position, aware that Elliot Anderson is their most valuable asset.
Moreover, Anderson has been called up to join the starting eleven of Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for the upcoming World Cup taking place in North America. Playing alongside Declan Rice in midfield, a standout performance on the global stage could further inflate the price of the young talent.
Elliot Anderson is thus at the center of one of the hottest transfers in English football, with Manchester City leading the race to secure a bright future at the Etihad Stadium. The coming days promise to be decisive for the fate of this midfielder, who is already seen as a key piece of English football for the years to come.
This article first appeared on Apito Final.
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