Manchester City are quietly considering their options ahead of the summer transfer window, with Nottingham Forest’s Elliott Anderson tipped to be on the shortlist.
According to TEAMtalk, the Premier League giants are considering a move for the 23-year-old midfielder, viewing him as a potential long-term investment rather than an immediate solution.
However, City’s interest could largely depend on whether Pep Guardiola remains in charge at the Etihad Stadium beyond this season.
Guardiola’s future has been a recurring topic of discussion, and any decision regarding major reinforcements is expected to go hand-in-hand with a clearer direction for the club’s management.
Why Man City are targeting Elliott Anderson
Anderson’s development at Forest has been one of the success stories of the Premier League season.
Since arriving at the City Ground, he has developed into a dependable and dynamic presence in midfield, praised for his work rate and ability to play multiple roles.
He is comfortable playing further up the pitch, defending the back four, and Man City are impressed with his versatility.
City see Anderson as a player who can develop into a key member of the team over time, someone who can learn the positional discipline and technical demands of Guardiola’s system.
His age and Premier League experience make him a particularly attractive player compared to other alternatives who would require a longer adaptation period.
Forest demand premium for midfielder
But the potential deal would come at a premium. Nottingham Forest are under no pressure to sell and are thought to value Anderson at between £80m and £100m.
This figure reflects both his importance to their project and the current market inflation for young homegrown midfielders with top-level experience.
Forest’s position has been strengthened by Anderson’s contract situation, with them firmly in control of negotiations.
Unless the club reaches that rating, they will be expected to resist approaches and continue to strengthen around midfielders.
Man City are not the only club to be tracking Anderson’s progress. Manchester United are also planning a major overhaul of their own midfield and are monitoring the situation closely.
Report: Man City offer £35m for English midfielder but fall short of £40m asking price
