Manchester's Premier League clubs are set to battle for Nottingham Forest star Elliot Anderson's signature in the summer transfer window
Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson will be a man in demand during the summer transfer window
Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson will be a man in demand during the summer transfer window(Image: Maynard Manyowa/News Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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Manchester City and Manchester United are no strangers to going to war on the pitch. While in recent seasons United have slipped off the pace, their return to the Champions League shifts the dial in the transfer market too. Both clubs will be fighting it out for the same calibre of players and Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson will be the protagonist.
Both clubs see the former Newcastle man as key to their midfield rebuilds. For City, Anderson would arrive as a direct replacement for Bernardo Silva. Those are big boots to fill, particularly considering the impact the captain has for Pep Guardiola's side.
Bernardo covers every blade of grass and Anderson would be expected to do similar. For United, Forest's 23-year-old would join as Casemiro's replacement. While not an exact alternative to the Brazil international, Anderson would add bite to the Reds' midfield and fits the type of signing Ineos want to make this summer - proven Premier League quality.
It is understood City are the current frontrunners for Anderson but both clubs' bids to sign him were handed a blow on Sunday. The 23-year-old's late equaliser against his boyhood club, coupled with West Ham's defeat to Arsenal, ensured Forest will stay in the Premier League.
That is a huge blow for City and United who would have been hoping to land a bargain had Forest been relegated. Truthfully, the East Midlands club had a squad that was too strong for a relegation battle but if they had dropped, Anderson was guaranteed to leave.
Forest would have sold him for a cut price fee too. We saw with Liam Delap last summer, following Ipswich's relegation, clubs simply cannot hold Premier League clubs to ransom for their best players.
But now they have survived, Forest can hold out for their asking price. It is expected Anderson could be allowed to leave for a fee in the region of £100m.
This is a figure that, while in the reach of both City and United, would impact any of their business going forward. City may be more inclined to pay that price considering their squad is in better shape post-January but for United, splashing out £100m plus could impact their ability to strengthen other key positions.
Both teams need to spend their money wisely this summer and it remains to be seen whether such a large sum on a singular player represents good value. One crumb of comfort for the Manchester teams came during Vitor Pereira's post-match press conference.
When asked about Anderson's future, he said: "I cannot say (whether he will stay), I don’t have the answer. I know he deserves the top of the world.
"I know that he’s our player, and we need to enjoy him because I have worked with the top talent players, but to find a top player with this character is not easy." From City and United's perspective, they will hope this indicates Anderson's ambition and, in turn, lowers the price tag as he forces a move.
But with Forest safe, they now have the control in negotiations.