Manchester City are reported to be leading the race to sign Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson, with the 23-year-old said to be leaning toward a move to the Etihad rather than to Manchester United.
There is growing expectation that Anderson will leave the City Ground this summer. United are reported to be reluctant to overpay or become involved in prolonged negotiations, leaving City as the frontrunners for the player.
No agreement has been reached between Forest and City, however, and the clubs remain some way apart on valuation. That gap means the situation could still change before the window closes.
If a transfer is completed it could set a new record for a British player, potentially topping the £105m Arsenal paid West Ham for Declan Rice in 2023.
Inside Forest there is a sense that Anderson is the most likely candidate for a major sale this summer. A strong showing for England at the World Cup would further strengthen the club’s bargaining position.
After Forest’s 1-1 draw with Bournemouth on Sunday, manager Vitor Pereira praised Anderson and team-mate Morgan Gibbs-White, saying both deserved recognition for their performances. Pereira made clear he would prefer to keep his best players but acknowledged the club cannot fully control the transfer market and must balance ambitions with financial realities.
Anderson, who lifted the 2025 European Under-21 Championship with England, moved to Forest from Newcastle in 2024 for £35m. He has made 92 appearances for Forest, scoring six goals.
Sunday’s match against Bournemouth was Anderson’s 50th appearance of the season; he received a standing ovation when substituted in the second half.