Man City grow confident of signing Elliot Anderson after United drop pursuit

Manchester City are growing increasingly confident of signing Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson this summer after Manchester United ended their pursuit of the 23-year-old, unwilling to meet Forest’s asking price of around £100m.

United had identified Anderson as one of their primary midfield targets heading into the transfer window, but Old Trafford chiefs baulked at the fee. The club also learned that Anderson himself would prefer a move to City over United, further accelerating their decision to look elsewhere.

Incoming City manager Enzo Maresca, expected to take charge at the Etihad following Pep Guardiola’s departure, has given his approval to the signing. City are keen to complete a deal before Anderson departs for the World Cup with England, where he is expected to start the Three Lions’ opening group game against Croatia in Dallas.

Forest are in no rush, however. The club are aware that a strong tournament with England would only drive Anderson’s value higher, and they will not stand in his way if he chooses to leave for a bigger club. Anderson joined Forest from Newcastle in 2024 for £35m and has since established himself as one of the Premier League’s standout midfielders, making 50 appearances this season — his 50th coming in last weekend’s match against Bournemouth, which earned him a standing ovation from the City Ground crowd.

Anderson also won the 2025 European Under-21 Championship with England, adding to a rapid rise that has made him one of the most coveted players in the division.

Former Middlesbrough manager Michael Carrick, speaking ahead of his side’s 3-2 defeat at Old Trafford earlier this month, offered a measured assessment of the player. “He’s done well. I think he’s a big part of their team. He offers so much, and they’ve got a really talented team and dangerous team,” Carrick said.

With Anderson now off the table, United will redirect their midfield search. Adam Wharton, Carlos Belaba, and Real Madrid pair Aurélien Tchouaméni and Federico Valverde are among the names under consideration. A move for Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister has also been floated internally, though the club acknowledge that negotiating with a direct rival makes any such deal highly unlikely.