Manchester City are reportedly confident they have won the race to sign Nottingham Forest sensation Elliott Anderson, leapfrogging rivals Manchester United to land one of the Premier League’s most coveted young players.
The 23-year-old is at the center of an escalating transfer tug-of-war, with sources suggesting the Etihad are the midfielder’s preferred destination as City look to embark on a major rebuild of their engine room.
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Many clubs keen to sign Elliott Anderson
According to a report in the Mirror, City now believe they are in pole position to secure a contract worth around £65m.
The news comes as a huge blow to a long list of suitors, including Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham, who have been keeping a close eye on the England international.
According to reports, Anderson is expected to leave the City Ground this summer, regardless of whether Forest, who are currently embroiled in a fierce relegation battle, avoid relegation.
United remain “seriously in the race” under caretaker manager Michael Carrick, but Anderson is reportedly backing a move to Manchester’s blue half.
City want to secure a move before the start of the 2026 World Cup in North America, fearing his value could soar above £100m in a prominent competition alongside Declan Rice.
Arsenal also have strong interest and could potentially play a role if Rice chooses the Gunners.
Anderson is one of England’s best midfielders
Anderson’s rise since arriving from Newcastle United for £35m in 2024 has been nothing short of astonishing.
This season, he played in 31 Premier League games and achieved a pass success rate of 88%, establishing himself as a midfield powerhouse.
| Statistics (2025/26 PL) | total |
| Play time (minutes) | 2,774 |
| tackle | 90 |
| intercept | 34 |
| collect | 259 |
Elliott Anderson stats in the Premier League this season (via FotMob)
With Bernardo Silva confirmed to leave the club and Mateo Kovacic set to leave the club, manager Pep Guardiola sees Anderson as the ideal energetic replacement.
His ability to advance from deep while maintaining defensive discipline ensured he was selected for Thomas Tuchel’s England squad.
For City, signing Anderson early would be their first major win in what promises to be a transformative summer for the Premier League giants.
