Nottingham Forest are reportedly seeking upwards of £100 million for their star midfielder Elliot Anderson, with Manchester City placing him at the summit of their transfer priorities. The 23-year-old has been a revelation in the Premier League this season, topping the charts for ball recoveries with an impressive tally of 98.
In addition, Anderson is third in the league for fouls won (25) and progressive passes (100), while he stands fifth for completed passes (734). His performances have been a rare happiness in an otherwise challenging campaign for Forest, currently languishing in 16th place despite Anderson’s consistent displays across three different managers.
Manchester City, ever vigilant in their quest to bolster midfield options, see Anderson as a fitting successor to the injury-prone Rodri. The Spanish maestro has struggled for fitness this season, and while Nico Gonzalez has shown promise, he has not fully convinced manager Pep Guardiola, especially following Rodri’s Ballon d’Or-winning 2024.
City, having already dispatched scouts to monitor Anderson, are reportedly ready to prioritise him as a target in 2026, even moving ahead of rivals Manchester United in the pursuit. Forest’s firm stance is to reject any approaches come January, believing they can fetch £100m post-World Cup, with a floor price set around £80m. Anderson’s versatility as both a No. 6 and No. 8 adds to his appeal for City, despite additional interest from Liverpool and Manchester United.
Meanwhile, Newcastle United, Anderson’s boyhood club, might rue the day they parted with him. At the time, competition from Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali, and Joelinton left Anderson with limited opportunities, prompting a move to Forest where he sought regular first-team football. Despite an initial fee appearing modest at £35m, effectively dropping to £15m due to concurrent dealings, the Magpies are now witnessing his valuation soar beyond treble that sum.
With their midfield options now less robust, and Anderson emerging as an England regular under Thomas Tuchel, the decision to sell him could haunt Newcastle for seasons to come.
As Anderson’s stock continues to rise, a move to the Etihad could further cement his status as one of the Premier League’s elite midfielders, all while Forest hold out for a record-setting fee. However, Newcastle’s predicament serves as a grim reminder of how financial constraints can force clubs into regrettable transfer decisions during this tumultuous Premier League era.