Manchester City ready to make £100 million Premier League star ‘top transfer target’ in 2026 | OneFootball

Officials at the Etihad Stadium are reportedly ready to make one of England’s upcoming and currently leading stars a primary transfer target for Manchester City’s 2026 plans.

City’s long-term midfield planning is seemingly accelerating behind the scenes, with recruitment chiefs seemingly deep into preparations for what could become the club’s next biggest transfer windows off the back of a busy 2025.

With the futures of several midfield figures still to be clarified – namely Bernardo Silva who is out of contract, and Mateo Kovacic an ageing profile faltering with fitness – Etihad decision-makers have intensified focus on Premier League-proven talent to anchor Guardiola’s side.

This renewed push comes after months of scouting in central areas, with City having been linked with several domestic midfielders including Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton, Wolves’ Joao Gomes, and others.

However, it is Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson who is seemingly emerging as the preferred option following earlier stories linking City with a potential £75 million approach – a valuation that has since risen sharply amid a rapid rise and Forest’s strengthened negotiating position.

According to the information of MailSport’s Craig Hope, Manchester City are ready to make Anderson one of their top transfer targets in 2026, with leading officials including Hugo Viana and Pep Guardiola ‘big admirers’ of the 23-year-old.

Manchester City scouts have also been in the stands at recent Nottingham Forest matches, and while the City Ground club will reject any advances in January, a sale ahead of the World Cup is reportedly possible, especially if offers approaching £100 million arrive.

From the side of Premier League rivals, it is claimed that the internal word is it will take in excess of £80 million to sign Anderson, whose versatility as a No.6 or 8 appeals to Manchester City as their next big midfield addition. 

But how does this affect previous admiration for Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton? MailSport report City insiders now prefer Elliot Anderson, and are aware that both Liverpool and Manchester United will be interested with a feeling that a player who will likely be an England regular for several years is ‘too good to pass by’.

City’s scouting presence at Nottingham Forest matches also aligns with previous reporting that Pep Guardiola has personally monitored Anderson’s growth since his move from Newcastle in 2024.

Should Forest open the door to talks ahead of the World Cup, City may feel the timing is ideal given the widespread fact that major international tournaments often inflate player valuations, and Etihad Stadium officials could look to secure an agreement before Anderson’s price increases further.

Much will depend on how Forest position themselves over the next 12 months, especially given that Anderson is believed to have no buy-back or sell-on clauses in his contract and is tied down on a long-term deal that strengthens the City Ground officials’ bargaining power.

What is becoming increasingly clear is Anderson is no longer simply one name on a list, but in fact emerging as Manchester City’s priority midfield profile for the club’s next major rebuild. If Guardiola remains convinced by his potential ceiling, and if Forest are willing to negotiate, the 23-year-old could become one of the headline stories of next summer.