Vitor Pereira says Man City target Elliot Anderson “deserves top of the world” ahead of summer transfer window | OneFootball

Manchester City transfer target Elliot Anderson “deserves the top of the world”, in the eyes of his current manager at Nottingham Forest, Vitor Pereira.

The link between Anderson and the Etihad Stadium has intensified as Manchester City move into a crucial summer of transition, following the confirmed departures of senior figures like Bernardo Silva and uncertainty surrounding the longer-term midfield makeup.

City’s recruitment team has reportedly identified the 23-year-old as a high-ranking target, with Anderson having been a revelation at the City Ground, providing technical security and physical drive that has seen him record 4 goals and 2 assists in the current campaign.

Elliot Anderson’s latest heroics against Newcastle United have only served to validate Manchester City’s scouting reports, which suggest he is ready to step into a squad competing for the highest honours.

With City continuing to chase down Arsenal in the Premier League title race – albeit trailing the Gunners by five points with a game in hand – the addition of a player with Elliot Anderson’s abilities is seen as a priority for the 2026/27 campaign.

Pereira opens up on Anderson’s future

Speaking after Nottingham Forest’s dramatic 1-1 draw with Newcastle United over the weekend, and in light of Elliot Anderson’s sensational late equaliser at the City Ground, manager Vitor Pereira spoke out on the Englishman’s future.

“I cannot say [whether he will stay], I don’t have the answer. I know he deserves the top of the world. I know that he’s our player, and we need to enjoy him because I have worked with the top talent players, but to find a top player with this character is not easy,” said Pereira.

The Portuguese coach continued, “I’m not thinking about the next season. I’m thinking about finishing this season in the best position that we can. In the warm-up, my assistants, they said to me, ‘Elliot is on fire today.’ Every time that he shot on goal, he scored.

“He had the funeral of his mother two days ago, I didn’t speak with him, but I believe he wants to honour his mother with a goal. I believe that’s why he tried until the last minute to score, because this is the way that he found to go on the pitch and to give everything to play for.”

Why are Man City pushing for Elliot Anderson?

The tactical appeal of Elliot Anderson for Manchester City perhaps lies in his versatility, proving he is capable of playing as a traditional number eight or as a box-to-box transitional player full of energy across the centre of the pitch.

Furthermore, his homegrown status is of immense value to Manchester City’s squad registration requirements, especially with the expected exit of James Trafford and possibly other academy graduates like Rico Lewis this summer.

For Pep Guardiola, Elliot Anderson’s ability to maintain high-intensity pressing while retaining the ball under pressure makes him a natural fit for the Manchester City system.

A formal approach from the Etihad Stadium is expected once the Premier League season concludes following the final day of fixtures on May 24, and while Nottingham Forest will be desperate to keep their talisman, a bid north of £70 million could prove difficult to turn down.