Manchester City believe they hold the aces in the battle to sign a Premier League midfield dynamo | OneFootball

There is still the entire second half of the season to play out and the January transfer window to navigate for Manchester City. Despite this, Hugo Viana and the City hierarchy are busy drawing up a list of their top transfer targets for next summer. One player who is likely at the top of that particular list is Nottingham Forest midfielder, Elliot Anderson. Sacha Tavolieri has previously reported that Elliot Anderson has given priority to a future move to the Etihad. Furthermore, Tavolieri reported that City scouts have watched Anderson play on multiple occasions this season. It seems clear that City have identified Elliot Anderson as a future transfer target.

Now a new report has emerged which states that Manchester City believe they can see any other suitors, namely Manchester United, to sign Elliot Anderson next summer. Given the amount of groundwork City have seemingly laid to sign Anderson that news doesn’t come as a major surprise.

Manchester City believe they can see off competition from Manchester United to sign Elliot Anderson next summer.

Dean Jones has reported for TeamTalk that Manchester City are confident that they can see off the threat of Manchester United in the race to sign Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest next summer. Furthermore, Jones reports that Nottingham Forest is intent on keeping Elliot Anderson at the club during the January transfer window. Next summer is a different story. Forest is expecting clubs such as Manchester City and Manchester United to move for their prized asset.

It is also reported by Dean Jones that City are laying the groundwork ahead of a summer move for Elliot Anderson. Jones further reports that City have a sporting advantage over Manchester United in the apparent race to sign one of England’s best midfielders. Lastly, Jones reports that Forest will likely demand a transfer fee of between £80-100 million to sell a player who is integral to their setup.

At this stage it would be a shock if City didn’t move to sign Elliot Anderson next summer.

Signing another midfielder and a rejig of Manchester City’s defence seems to be on the agenda for Hugo Viana at the end of the 25/26 season. Mateo Kovacic looks to be coming to the end of his time at City. Injuries have wrecked his 25/26 season to date. Bernardo Silva’s future is also in doubt as he enters the final six months of his current contract with City. His plans for the future remain unclear at this stage. That’s where Elliot Anderson comes into Manchester City’s plans.

Elliot Anderson could replace either of Kovacic or Bernardo Silva in midfield, or possibly both. He is that good as a player. Everything about Elliot Anderson’s game screams a future City player. He is aggressive and elite when in possession and is a monster at winning back possession. Those two traits coupled with Anderson’s other strengths as a player and his physicality make him an ideal candidate to slot into Pep Guardiola’s squad. Based on all of the recent reports it would be a major surprise if City didn’t move to sign Elliot Anderson next summer.

Manchester City believe they hold the aces in the potential race to sign Nottingham Forest’s midfield dynamo Elliot Anderson. It is easy to see why they feel this way. City look to have a ready-made role in their squad for him and in terms of what club out of City and United can offer Anderson the opportunity to compete for silverware and play under the greatest manager in modern times, only Manchester City can offer that in comparison to their arch-rivals.