Manchester City are ready to make England midfielder Elliot Anderson one of their top targets in 2026.
Mail Sport understands City’s top brass, including director of football Hugo Viana and manager Pep Guardiola, are big admirers of the 23-year-old – and their scouts have been in the stands at recent Nottingham Forest matches.
Forest will reject any advances in January but a sale ahead of next summer’s World Cup is possible, especially if offers approaching £100million land at the City Ground.
The word inside Premier League rivals is that it will take a fee in excess of £80m to sign him.
City’s immediate priority is thought to be wide areas in the January window, and Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo – available at £65m – is being considered.
They are weighing up whether a powerful and direct winger of Semenyo’s profile or a more skilful and intricate one in the mould of Phil Foden or Bernardo Silva is the preference.
But the versatility of Anderson, who can play as a No.6 or 8, appeals to City when it comes to identifying their next big midfield addition.
Rodri and Nico Gonzalez have shared the load at No.6 this season, while Tijjani Reijnders has played further forward.
Adam Wharton has previously been considered but we understand insiders now prefer Anderson to the Crystal Palace playmaker.
City are said to be aware that both Liverpool and Manchester United will be interested in Anderson and there is a feeling that a player who will likely be an England regular for several years is too good to pass by.
Talk of Anderson returning to Newcastle, who were forced to sell him to Forest for £35m to avoid a PSR points deduction in 2024, is unlikely to come to anything.
The price tag of £80-100m is beyond their current scope.
Anderson’s impressive form has seen him break into England’s first choice team this season, and after making his debut in September he has won six caps.
Speaking during the November international break, Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel was full of praise for the 23-year-old.
‘Anderson is a key player for us at the moment,’ Tuchel said. ‘He is one of the best midfielders in the Premier League – that’s why he is with us and starting for us.
‘He deserves it because he has been nothing but impressive. He has to keep on going now though.
‘He is a very complete and mobile midfielder, and that’s what he keeps showing me.
‘He is an elite player with the right attitude and a lot of talent. He is fulfilling his role in the best way possible so we are very happy with him.’
