Elliot Anderson informs agents of Manchester City decision as £100 million stance revealed | OneFootball

Manchester City may have received a clear indication from Elliot Anderson that the Etihad Stadium is his preferred possible destination in 2026.

The Premier League giants are seemingly steadily building midfield plans for the new year, with Anderson emerging as one of the club’s top targets, with various reports highlighting how City officials have grown increasingly convinced by the 23-year-old’s ability to transition seamlessly into a Pep Guardiola system.

City’s admiration for Anderson has been well established, with a claimed intention to prioritise Anderson as a leading 2026 midfield target, while reporting elsewhere has insisted that Nottingham Forest are preparing to demand a fee potentially exceeding £100 million.

This is consistent with Forest’s stance following Anderson’s rise since leaving Newcastle in 2024 – a move that originally stemmed from the Magpies’ Profit & Sustainability pressures, only for the midfielder to explode into one of England’s brightest talents.

As for Manchester City, they are preparing for further midfield evolution, with lingering uncertainty around Rodri’s long-term future amid ongoing fitness struggles, and with the club’s hierarchy exploring Premier League-ready options to avoid transitional risk beyond the likes of Bernardo Silva and Mateo Kovacic’s respective spells at the club.

Now, according to the information of Sky’s Sacha Tavolieri, Manchester City are ‘in love’ with Nottingham Forest and England international midfielder Elliot Anderson, who has impressed sporting director Hugo Viana and scouts – who have watched him over 10 times this season.

However, it is highlighted that the demands of owner Evangelos Marinakis demands are ‘far higher’ than City’s valuations, with Etihad bosses so far refusing to entertain the idea of a £100 million transfer for the player.

One thing is clear at this stage, in that Anderson will remain at the City Ground beyond the upcoming January transfer window, and a big-money departure is only conceivable after the 2026 FIFA World Cup. 

Perhaps most interestingly, the report claims that Elliot Anderson himself has already informed his ‘professional circle’ that he is giving priority to Manchester City for a future transfer.

Player preference often becomes a decisive factor in transfer pursuits – particularly when the buying club holds long-term planning power and the selling club recognises an eventual sale is unavoidable.

For Manchester City, Anderson reportedly signalling a preference to join Pep Guardiola’s side could encourage Etihad Stadium officials to continue their patient, controlled approach to negotiations rather than being drawn into a bidding war.

As the 2026 World Cup approaches, Anderson’s valuation may only rise further, especially if he cements himself as a regular England starter on the international stage under Thomas Tuchel across the Atlantic next summer.

A standout tournament could push the price well above the current £100 million threshold – something Nottingham Forest are no doubt aware of, and a factor Manchester City may become increasingly wary about.

Ultimately, City appear to hold a strategic advantage with admiration from the player, a clear long-term squad plan, and confidence in their ability to wait for the right moment. Should all parties align after the World Cup, Anderson’s desires may prove telling.