Fabrizio Romano: Elliot Anderson transfer to Manchester City enters ‘final stages’ | OneFootball

Manchester City’s potentially record-breaking pursuit of Nottingham Forest and England international Elliot Anderson has reportedly entered the ‘final stages’

The impending capture of the highly-rated Nottingham Forest midfielder marks a significant statement of intent for Manchester City under the stewardship of incoming manager Enzo Maresca.

Following the departure of midfield legend Bernardo Silva to Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid, Sporting Director Hugo Viana has prioritised the signing of a new energetic profile in the centre of the park this summer.

Manchester City are determined to overhaul an ageing engine room that finished second to Arsenal in the Premier League last season, and Elliot Anderson’s ability to drive forward from deep-lying positions makes him the ideal tactical cornerstone for a new project.

The staggering financial layout of the package – rumoured to approach a British-record fee – underscores the belief the Etihad Stadium’s hierarchy has in the 23-year-old. Having successfully steered Forest clear of danger while asserting himself as a vital cog in Thomas Tuchel’s England international set-up, Anderson represents a premium profile.

Securing his signature before the first-team officially reports back to the City Football Academy for pre-season training would give Maresca a tremendous structural boost ahead of the August 23 league curtain-raiser against Bournemouth.

Manchester City close in on Elliot Anderson transfer

Now, according to transfer market insider Fabrizio Romano, Manchester City are ‘confident’ of getting a deal done for Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson, with a move ‘now at the final stages’ after work behind the scenes.

It is further pointed out that a new round of talks will take place for the England international midfielder, who would undergo a medical in the United States whilst at the ongoing FIFA World Cup before joining City if all goes to plan.

What comes after the World Cup and a deal being agreed?

Once remaining paperwork is signed and a financial package is agreed between all parties, the focus will turn entirely to how Enzo Maresca integrates the versatile midfielder into his plans.

Elliot Anderson’s engine and ball-carrying metrics indicate he could easily assume the high-intensity roles previously occupied by Bernardo Silva or deep-lying playmaker roles alongside Rodri, who is currently weighing up his future and a lucrative contract extension.

With a long-term contract package waiting for him in Manchester, Anderson’s arrival would certainly signal the dawn of a highly athletic, completely revitalised City side ready to attempt to dominate domestic football in future.