Liverpool have been tentatively linked with Nottingham Forest‘s Elliot Anderson, but the Reds will face tough competition should they pursue the midfielder.
Despite playing for the Premier League‘s 17th-place team, Anderson is expected to be a player chased by several top clubs this summer and is in the frame to start for England at the World Cup.
At just 23 years old, he has already played 110 times in the top flight since making his debut for Newcastle in January 2021, becoming one of the league’s most-promising midfielders in the process.
According to talkSPORT‘s Alex Crook, an increasingly reliable source over the last 18 months, Liverpool have “kept close tabs on” the Geordie, but they aren’t the only side interested in a potential transfer.
Crook wrote that Man City “are primed to step up their interest” in Anderson and he “is seen as a potential successor for Rodri.”
Elliot Anderson, Nottingham Forest at the City Ground (Martin Rickett/PA)
Man United are also interested, but a move to Man City would be favoured over Man United, the report claims.
Back in November, the *Mail*‘s Craig Hope, who covers Newcastle, wrote similar, saying that while he is a top target for Man City, “both Liverpool and Manchester United will be interested in Anderson.”
The fee for the Forest midfielder has been mooted to be between £80 million and £100m, something that would prohibit a return to his boyhood club, Newcastle, which he departed due to PSR reasons for £35m in 2024.
Upon arrival at Forest, Anderson signed a five-year contract that doesn’t expire until 2029.
Why would Liverpool and Man City be interested in Elliot Anderson?
NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND - Sunday, February 22, 2026: Liverpool's Ryan Gravenberch (R) challenges Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson during the FA Premier League match between Nottingham Forest FC and Liverpool FC at the City Ground. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
With Alexis Mac Allister dropping off significantly this season, Wataru Endo getting another year older and Curtis Jones potentially leaving in the summer, there will be a need for midfield bodies at Liverpool.
Trey Nyoni is the main prospect coming through, but his first-team experience pales in comparison to Anderson who has proved himself a quality Premier League player.
Capable of playing as a No. 6 and a No. 8, it is Anderson’s passing that stands out, perhaps the reason for Man City considering him a potential Rodri replacement.
In the league this season, FotMob tells us he plays 3.5 long balls per 90 minutes, placing him in the 92nd percentile when compared to his Premier League peers.
Player Factfile: Elliot Anderson
Category Details
Age 23 (Nov 6, 2002)
Current Club Nottingham Forest
Position Defensive Midfield/Central Midfield
Contract Ends June 2029
Market Value £70m-£100m
While his passing accuracy and long ball accuracy isn’t the best, this is likely down to the ambition of his passing and the lack of options he has in a Forest team that usually play on the back foot.
Off the ball, he is a serious asset. He makes an incredible 8.42 recoveries per 90, putting him in the top one percent of comparable players in this regard.
He would also count as a homegrown player, an area in which Liverpool are massively lacking. This, as always, puts him at a premium, though.
If Liverpool were to properly pursue Anderson, then you would expect any potential targeting of Crystal Palace‘s Adam Wharton would be removed from the table due to financial constraints.