Manchester City are preparing for a transformative summer as the post-Pep Guardiola era begins to take shape at the Etihad Stadium. While speculation has linked the Premier League champions with a blockbuster move for Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez, the club's recruitment hierarchy appears to have settled on a different primary target for their midfield engine room.
Elliot Anderson boasts enough potential to become “one of the very best”, Jack Colback has told GOAL, with the in-demand Nottingham Forest star considered to be an “old-fashioned” midfielder that is capable of doing a bit of everything. That skill set is said to be attracting admiring glances from Manchester, with City and United both mulling over the merits of a big-money transfer bid.
Manchester United are in the market for midfield reinforcements - amid links to the likes of Elliot Anderson, Sandro Tonali and Fede Valverde - with Eric Djemba-Djemba telling GOAL who the Red Devils’ “first choice” should be. Big money is set to be spent at Old Trafford this summer on acquiring a suitable replacement for the departing Casemiro.
Manchester City are currently leading rivals Manchester United in the intense race to sign Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson. A potential transfer could break the record for a British player, eclipsing the £105 million ($141m) fee Arsenal paid for Declan Rice. With a fine World Cup coming up, Forest are preparing for a massive summer departure despite their desire to retain him.
Nottingham Forest have been told how to “kick on” after taking in a season of relegation battles and four managers, with Morgan Gibbs-White and Murillo forming part of that project. Ex-Reds loanee Alan Hutton has told GOAL that a brighter future should be enjoyed on Trentside given that ambitious owners and talented performers are in place at the City Ground.
And there you have it - the 2025-26 Premier League season is over. Arsenal are the champions while West Ham have been relegated alongside Wolves and Burnley as Tottenham secured survival on the final day. While the football hasn't always been the most scintillating, it's been a campaign full of twists and turns at both ends of the table, making it difficult to predict any result given the increased parity among the teams in the English top-flight.
England manager Thomas Tuchel has named his 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup, with Jude Bellingham and Noni Madueke among those to get the nod as Phil Foden and Cole Palmer miss out. Harry Kane captains the Three Lions in their bid to bring 60 years of international trophy heartache to a close, with Ivan Toney, Ollie Watkins and Marcus Rashford providing support and competition in the attacking department.
Nottingham Forest manager Vitor Pereira has conceded that the club may struggle to retain Elliot Anderson this summer following another standout performance against Manchester United. The 23-year-old England international is reportedly at the centre of a bidding war between United and Manchester City after flourishing at the City Ground.
Nottingham Forest manager Vitor Pereira has admitted that he cannot guarantee midfielder Elliot Anderson will remain at the club next season. The highly sought-after England international is currently attracting intense interest from both Manchester United and Manchester City following his exceptional performances, as his valuation reportedly reaches a staggering £120 million mark.
Manchester United will need to find a playmaking successor to Bruno Fernandes at some point and, amid links to Elliot Anderson, Rene Meulensteen has told GOAL that Nottingham Forest star Morgan Gibbs-White may be the man to tick that box. One raid on the City Ground for an England international midfielder is already being mooted, but should the Red Devils be eyeing a different target?
Manchester United legend Gary Neville has identified three dream transfer targets for the club this summer, including Bayern Munich's Harry Kane. Neville also named a more "realistic" trio of potential signings for the Red Devils as they strive to compete for the biggest trophies next season.
Manchester United are expected to withdraw from the race to sign Nottingham Forest star Elliot Anderson after being quoted a record-breaking £120 million fee. The Red Devils are reportedly unwilling to enter a bidding war with Manchester City, choosing instead to prioritise a more sustainable approach to their summer recruitment.
Manchester United are being linked with Bruno Guimaraes, Elliot Anderson and Aurelien Tchouameni, with Louis Saha telling GOAL who the “better fit” from that trio would be. More big money is set to be spent by the Red Devils in the next transfer window as a natural successor to Casemiro is sought in the Old Trafford engine room. Raids on Newcastle, Nottingham Forest and Real Madrid have been mooted.
Manchester City are reportedly leading the charge to sign Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson as Pep Guardiola looks to reshape his midfield. The Premier League leaders are said to be in "pole position" to secure a summer deal for the 23-year-old England international, who has also been mooted as a target for Manchester United and Arsenal.
Morgan Gibbs-White has led an emotional tribute to Nottingham Forest team-mate Elliot Anderson during an historic Europa League victory over Porto. The midfielder celebrated his decisive goal by displaying a heartfelt message for the England international, who withdrew from the squad following the tragic passing of his mother, Helen.
Elliot Anderson has become a man in demand, with former Nottingham Forest captain Henri Lansbury telling GOAL why a midfielder that already boasts “a bit of magic” can go on to become a “shining light”. Anderson is a key cog in the City Ground machine, and seemingly destined to form part of England’s squad at the 2026 World Cup, but there is the promise of even more to come from the talented 23-year-old.
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