England international central midfielder ‘desperate’ to play for Pep Guardiola and Manchester City | OneFootball

Manchester City may have stormed ahead of the competition when it comes to their hopes of signing Nottingham Forest and England international Elliot Anderson.

The Etihad Stadium hierarchy have spent time refining plans for a further significant midfield evolution in 2026, with Anderson consistently emerging as the standout long-term target.

Multiple reports have already outlined Pep Guardiola’s admiration for the 23-year-old, City’s extensive scouting coverage of his progress at the City Ground, and Nottingham Forest’s increasingly firm stance around a valuation that could exceed £100 million.

Despite the financial challenge, Manchester City’s interest has not wavered, with sporting director Hugo Viana and senior recruitment figures viewing Anderson as a rare blend of Premier League readiness, tactical intelligence, and long-term upside.

That belief has been reinforced by the player’s continued rise at club level and his growing stature within the England setup ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Competition remains fierce on paper, with Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea, and elite European clubs having all been loosely linked with the midfielder at various stages.

However, previous reporting has suggested Anderson has already given priority to Manchester City when considering a future move – a factor that could quietly reshape the balance of power in any eventual negotiations.

Now, according to the information of Manchester City insider ‘Tolmie’s Hairdoo’ on X, the Nottingham Forest and England international is ‘desperate’ to play for the club and Pep Guardiola.

It is claimed that there is “no other show in town for this player”, in a development that could be seen as a major boost to Manchester City’s hopes of securing one of the Premier League’s most in-demand central stars.

From a Manchester City perspective, player desire is a crucial strategic asset, particularly when dealing with a selling club determined to extract maximum value and willing to wait until after a major international tournament.

That said, Forest’s position remains unchanged, and a belief that Anderson’s value could even increase beyond their current £100 million valuation if he shines for England at the World Cup, meaning City may still be forced into a difficult decision on whether to meet an historic asking price, attempt to leverage the player’s preference, or pivot toward alternative targets.