Anderson targeted, Rodri future resolved: Inside Man City's ideal summer transfer window

Manchester City’s summer priorities are taking shape, with Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson emerging as the club’s primary transfer target as they look to replace the outgoing Bernardo Silva.

Anderson, 23, has been at the top of City’s wishlist for some time, and the feeling within the club is that the England international would favour a move to the Etihad Stadium. Forest, coming off a difficult 2025/26 campaign, are expected to need to sell one of their key assets, making a deal achievable if City avoid overpaying. Landing Anderson would give Guardiola’s successor a technically gifted, high-energy midfielder capable of filling one of the most demanding roles in the squad.

Beyond incomings, City’s dream window is arguably more about retention. Rodri’s future remains the most pressing question hanging over the club. The ideal outcome, short of a full contract extension, would be for the Spanish midfielder to commit to one final season at the Etihad, giving the club a full year to identify and sign his long-term replacement while allowing him a proper farewell after his recent injury troubles. Resolving that uncertainty early would bring clarity to City’s planning on both sides of the transfer market.

Goalkeeper James Trafford is another player City would dearly love to keep. The 23-year-old was arguably the strongest backup goalkeeper in the Premier League last season and played a significant role as City lifted both the FA Cup and Carabao Cup. Persuading him to remain and compete with Gianluigi Donnarumma would give City one of the deepest goalkeeping departments in world football — a genuine luxury that few clubs could match.

The broader picture reflects a club in transition. Last summer’s arrivals of Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace and Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth were seen as statements of intent that immediately strengthened the squad and addressed long-standing positional needs. The hope is that this window can build on that foundation — securing Anderson, steadying the Rodri situation, and locking down Trafford — rather than scrambling to patch gaps left by departures.