Elliot Anderson closing in on £80M Manchester City transfer after Nottingham Forest talks | OneFootball

Manchester City are progressing in talks with Nottingham Forest for Elliot Anderson ahead of the summer transfer window, as per a new report.

Anderson is City’s top midfield target this summer as the Blues plan for life beyond departing captain Bernardo Silva, who will leave as a free agent in June.

City are believed to have personal terms agreed with Anderson’s camp as they look to agree a transfer fee with Nottingham Forest for the 23-year-old England international.

Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis is expected to handle negotiations from the City Ground, with Anderson understood to have chosen the Etihad Stadium as his preferred destination amid interest from Manchester United.

Report: City value Anderson at £80M, talks held

As reported by talkSPORT’s Alex Crook and Ben Jacobs, City are optimistic of completing a deal for Anderson before he jets off across the Atlantic for the FIFA World Cup in June.

Executives at the Etihad Stadium are aware of Anderson’s preference of joining City over United as the Blues look to arm incoming manager Enzo Maresca with one of the most highly sought players in English football.

Forest are said to be using the £105 million fee Arsenal paid West Ham for Declan Rice in 2023 as a benchmark in negotiations with Manchester City for Anderson.

However, City bosses value the former Newcastle United star at £80 million, with preliminary talks already held between the clubs to discuss the framework of a deal.

Maresca is expected to be confirmed as Manchester City manager this week as talks continue with Etihad Stadium bosses over the 46-year-old’s backroom staff and other finer details.

The Italian will use his early days as City boss to assess the squad he is inheriting from Guardiola, who has promised to call and offer some pearls of wisdom to his successor.