Elliot Anderson is expected to leave Nottingham Forest this summer and both Manchester clubs are in the race for his signature, although he's valued at north of £100million
Elliot Anderson of Nottingham Forest during the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth at City Ground in Nottingham, United Kingdom, on May 24, 2026. (Photo by Maynard Manyowa/News Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Elliot Anderson is a wanted man(Image: Maynard Manyowa/News Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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In-demand Nottingham Forest star Elliot Anderson is leaning towards joining Manchester City instead of rivals Manchester United. Anderson, 23, has been valued at an eye-watering £120million ahead of the summer transfer window.
The England international produced a catalogue of all-action displays in midfield to help Forest secure Premier League safety. So with the domestic season over and the World Cup just around the corner, the race for Anderson is hotting up.
BBC Sport report that City are the frontrunners and as things stand, Anderson's preference would be move to the Etihad. That's despite City currently not having a manager in place, although ex-Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca is in advanced talks to succeed Pep Guardiola.
It's noted that City are yet to agree a deal with Forest, so there are still significant hurdles before the finish line. Meanwhile, United are remaining firm in their stance that they won't get drawn into a bidding war.
Anderson has put together two impressive seasons with Forest, having moved from boyhood club Newcastle in 2024 for £35m. A starring role at the World Cup would only elevate his status - and potentially his price tag if his future isn't decided by then.
Both Anderson and Forest team-mate Morgan Gibbs-White have been linked with exits, and boss Vitor Pereira said on Sunday that the pair deserve 'the top of the world' - although he's desperate to keep them at the City Ground. "I believe if we want to compete for different goals, we need to keep the best players," Pereira explained.
"If not, if you change every season, it is difficult to be consistent and difficult to build something stronger. We cannot control the market, of course, but I think we are aligned; what I think and what the club thinks is to try to keep most of them and to try to control the market."
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MAY 17: Bryan Mbeumo of Manchester United is challenged by Elliot Anderson of Nottingham Forest during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford on May 17, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
Elliot Anderson recently impressed against Manchester United(Image: Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
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Before Anderson registered two fine assists against United in Forest's 3-2 defeat away at Old Trafford earlier this month, Michael Carrick notably heaped praise on the midfielder. "Yeah, he's done well," Carrick hailed. "I think he's a big part of their team.
"I think he offers so much and they've got a really talented team and dangerous team. So they've had a good season to get to the [Europa League] semi-finals and just fall short. But yeah, you can see obviously he is important part of their team."
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