The Manchester rivals were each looking to give Elliot Anderson what he's been longing for this summer
Elliot Anderson.
Elliot Anderson is set to achieve his dream at Manchester City(Image: Maynard Manyowa/News Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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Manchester United will watch on as their city rivals hand Elliot Anderson his Champions League dream this summer. The Nottingham Forest star has been heavily linked with a move away from the City Ground.
United had been in the market for the 23-year-old as manager Michael Carrick has plans to add to his midfield selection. However, the club's hierarchy are not willing to meet the £100million valuation for Anderson and have conceded defeat to Manchester City.
It is understood City are very confident of landing the midfielder's signature despite Pep Guardiola's recent exit. This leaves United searching for midfield reinforcements elsewhere.
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As well as winning the fight over their Premier League rivals, City can also offer the midfielder an opportunity he has been pining for. The club have qualified for next season's Champions League after finishing second to Arsenal and Anderson has previously shared his desire to compete in the elite European competition.
"I'm desperate to be there again," Anderson said in April 2025. "It was a really proud moment playing in the Champions League and to be honest I never thought I'd be playing in my first season away from Newcastle, but I think if we keep going the way we're going and do what we've done all season then I think we've got a good chance."
Nottingham Forest's English midfielder #08 Elliot Anderson runs with the ball whilst under pressure from Manchester City's Portuguese midfielder #20 Bernardo Silva (L) Manchester City's Norwegian striker #09 Erling Haaland and Manchester City's English midfielder #47 Phil Foden (R) during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Nottingham Forest at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on March 4, 2026.
City are closing in on Anderson's signature(Image: Paul ELLIS / AFP via Getty Images)
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The 23-year-old made two Champions League appearances for Newcastle during the 2023/24 campaign. Forest looked on course to claim a top-four berth the following year but ultimately qualified for the Europa League, reaching the semi-finals this term.
City and United are both in the top European competition next season with the former set to be led by a new manager. Enzo Maresca is expected to replace Guardiola at the Etihad.
The club exited the Champions League at the round of 16 this season, losing 5-1 on aggregate to Real Madrid in March. However, City did clinch their first-ever Champions League crown during the 2022/23 season under Guardiola.
Pep Guardiola.
Pep Guardiola is confident City will succeed(Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)
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The departing manager has every confidence the club will continue to be successful after him. He said: "Any trophy we win we don’t take for granted. We won a final against Arsenal and another against Chelsea. I would not say there are not good teams.
"We fought a team like Aston Villa who won the Europa League and are a top team. All I would like to say to the fans is every single step, enjoy everything that you do. Don’t wait to win the Champions League to be happy, enjoy the process.
"I know the players here they will do it. I know it. When the club tells me which one it is [his successor] I will call him. I will tell him the same like I said yesterday: be yourself.
"The club will support you unconditionally, which is the biggest compliment. All the managers that have been here have been lucky with Txiki and now Hugo, Ferran, with all the work he’s done, and especially Khaldoon.
"Be yourself, you will be protected in the bad moments, more than at any other club."