Manchester City’s Elliot Anderson pursuit to hinge on midfielder out of contract in 2027 | OneFootball

Elliot Anderson is an important transfer target for officials at the Etihad Stadium ahead of the summer but a transfer will depend on one current Manchester City star, as per a new report.

Anderson is one of the most sought-after midfielders in English football after a breakthrough few seasons at Nottingham Forest, who are understood to value the 23-year-old at a whopping £100 million amid strong interest in the England international.

Manchester City added Nico Gonzalez to their midfield ranks in January 2025 and the 24-year-old has proved to be a capable stand-in for Ballon d’Or winner Rodri this season as the latter makes his way back to match fitness after a horrid, injury-riddled 15 months.

Rodri is out of contract at the Etihad Stadium in 18 months, though it is difficult to imagine a scenario wherein Manchester City officials do not tie the 29-year-old down to a renewed deal at some point in the next 12 months.

Captain on the night as Manchester City were handed a second defeat in four days at the hands of Bodo/Glimt in Norway, Rodri was far from his best and it went from bad to worse for the former Atletico Madrid, who was shown successive yellow cards within 53 seconds of each other to be sent off in the second-half.

Pep Guardiola retains great faith in Rodri but the midfielder will inevitably and understandably take time to return to his usual, imperious self as Manchester City vie for silverware on four fronts in the second half of the season.

Rodri has started frequently this month as Manchester City made a woeful start to 2026, having won twice in their last seven games in all competitions, with the Blues also winless in the Premier League this calendar year.

Guardiola is expected to have Gonzalez sooner rather than later, with the midfielder having suffered what the Catalan manager described as an ‘incredible knock’ in recent weeks that has provided Rodri the chance to get a run of regular starts under his belt.

Having signed Antoine Semenyo and Marc Guehi in January, Manchester City director of football Hugo Viana and co will be mapping transfer plans for the summer, when the club progress their rebuild under the Portuguese executive.

As reported by Mail Sport’s Jack Gaughan, Manchester City’s pursuit of Elliot Anderson will hinge on how Rodri proves his fitness and performs in the remainder of the season.

Rodri made history by becoming the first player in Manchester City history to win the Ballon d’Or in 2024, though the Spaniard has since struggled with recurring injuries that overlapped with the Blues enduring their worst season under Guardiola last term.

Anderson is widely expected to leave Manchester City in the summer and after adding Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki to their midfield ranks in 2025, the Blues are expected to stake a strong claim for the England international ahead of the 2026-27 season.