Manchester City are now reportedly positioning themselves to sign a £100m star ahead of Manchester United after already beating them to Antoine Semenyo.
Man City closing in on Semenyo
The Citizens are set to make quite the statement by welcoming Semenyo in the January transfer window. Recent reports have claimed that their £65m deal to sign the Bournemouth winger could be wrapped up within 48 hours as he prepares to bid farewell to the Cherries against Chelsea this evening.
Given the interest of Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and others, Semenyo's arrival represents how quickly Man City have returned to the top of the pecking order following a mixed summer transfer window. Those at the Etihad, as ever, are set to splash the cash with great conviction.
The 25-year-old will be the final piece to Pep Guardiola's frontline as he sets his sights on leapfrogging Arsenal in the race to win another Premier League title.
As things stand, his side are just two points behind the Gunners, who crucially square off against an Aston Villa side this evening that beat them just a few weeks ago.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola celebrates after the match-3 Related
[Man City submit £70m offer for "spectacular" star with Pep personally keen](https://www.footballfancast.com/man-city-submit-70m-transfer-offer-rodrygo-pep-guardiola/ "Man City submit £70m offer for "spectacular" star with Pep personally keen")
City have tabled a huge bid for a new forward
City, meanwhile, will travel to an impressive Sunderland side on New Year's Day and Guardiola has been full of praise for his side in the build-up - telling reporters: “It is not easy but compete in a way we do. We have to improve, absolutely, but this mindset is better.”
The Citizens have rediscovered their ruthless streak on and off the pitch and they're not stopping after Semenyo. According to TeamTalk, Man City are now positioning themselves to sign Elliot Anderson ahead of rivals Manchester United next summer.
Man City positioning themselves to sign Anderson
The Manchester club are reportedly confident of beating United to the midfielder's signature next summer, but it won't come cheap. Recent rumours have suggested that Anderson could cost them as much as £100m amid what has been an excellent individual season for the England international.
Elliot Anderson for Nottingham Forest-1
It's easy to see why Man City have set their sights on Anderson. Guardiola has always progressed with Premier League trends and the current trend of added physicality is set to force the Spaniard away from the usual elegance of his midfield and towards the engine of the Forest star.
PL stats 25/26 Elliot Anderson Bernardo Silva
Minutes 1,620 1,232
Tackles Won 33 8
Progressive Carries 24 26
Ball Recoveries 152 64
The numbers tell the story. Bernardo Silva, as much as his icon status is well secured at the Etihad, has struggled to make his mark in the current state of the Premier League. Anderson, meanwhile, has thrived.
The Forest star has earned deserved praise as a result, with England boss Thomas Tuchel telling reporters earlier this season: "Anderson is a key player for us at the moment. He is one of the best midfielders in the Premier League - that's why he is with us and starting for us.
"He deserves it because he has been nothing but impressive. He has to keep on going now though. He is a very complete and mobile midfielder, and that's what he keeps showing me."