This Arsenal and Nottingham Forest swap deal could be huge news.placeholder image
This Arsenal and Nottingham Forest swap deal could be huge news. | Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Arsenal and Nottingham Forest are at opposite ends of the table but could engage in a shocking swap deal
Premier League leaders Arsenal continue to be linked with a whole host of big-name stars and upcoming talents as Mikel Arteta’s side look to create a squad capable of dominating the English top flight and beyond.
The Gunners are currently four points clear at the top, seeing their lead reduced after a hard-fought 2-2 draw away at Sunderland ahead of the international break. The visitors had come from behind and looked set to leave with all three points before a late Brian Brobbey equaliser ensured a share of the spoils for two of the current top four.
Arsenal now see their star names travel far and wide over the international break and will hope to have a full selection available for the North London Derby on November 23. A clash with flying Bayern Munich in the Champions League follows that.
The Gunners could make a January move for one of the Premier League’s most in-demand stars as Arteta looks to improve his squad further.
Elliot Anderson continues to draw huge interest across Premier League
Manchester United are reported to have registered a concrete interest in Anderson, who they see as the ideal successor to Casemiro in their midfield role. Manchester City have also been linked with the former Newcastle United youth product, but Arsenal would be smart to throw their hat in the ring and make a play for the 23-year-old too.
The Gunners already boast Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi in the middle of the park, and the addition of Anderson’s tenacity and energy would give an extra dimension which could make Arteta’s midfield truly unstoppable.
Forest reportedly want a mouth-watering sum for their prize asset, with reports suggesting a transfer fee could cost £100m - £120m. With this in mind, the Gunners could decide to throw their own highly-rated star into a deal for Anderson as an extra incentive for Forest to get it done.
Anderson and Myles Lewis-Skelly swap deal could steal transfer headlines
Arsenal would certainly be reluctant to part ways with academy graduate Myles Lewis-Skelly, but it could in fact be in the interests of all involved if they were to include the 19-year-old in a deal for Anderson. According to Caught Offside, Forest are one of four Premier League clubs interested in the Arsenal man.
Lewis-Skelly has struggled for minutes so far this season amidst the top form of Riccardo Calafiori, whilst a move to Forest could see the England international given the chance to feature in his natural position of midfield as a direct replacement for Anderson. Lewis-Skelly would also fancy his chances of taking right-footed Neco Williams’ spot at left-back, and could take his game to a new level playing multiple positions for the Tricky Trees.
Crucial to Arsenal sanctioning an exit for Lewis-Skelly at this stage of his development would be the inclusion of a buy-back clause, should his progress at the City Ground go to plan. Transfermarkt currently value Lewis-Skelly at €45m, with the Gunners likely to hike that price slightly. If they were to offer the Hale End academy graduate plus £60m for Anderson, then include a £50m buy-back clause for Lewis-Skelly in the deal, this swap deal could yet go ahead and steal the transfer headlines in 2026.
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