Sergio Aguero issues verdict on Manchester City chase of Elliot Anderson | OneFootball

Manchester City legend Sergio Aguero has offered his verdict on his former club’s pursuit of Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson this summer.

City have been locked in lengthy negotiations with Forest over a deal, with a third formal bid now being prepared as owner Evangelos Marinakis holds out for a package in the region of £130 million, with £110 million paid up front.

Personal terms with the midfielder have already been agreed and Anderson has even been granted permission by England manager Thomas Tuchel to undergo a medical during the FIFA World Cup in north America, underlining how advanced the move has become.

The pursuit has taken on added significance following Bernardo Silva‘s departure to Real Madrid, with City keen to bring in fresh energy and legs to the engine room as incoming Blues boss Enzo Maresca prepares for his first season in charge.

With the deal edging closer to completion, attention has now turned to how Anderson might fit into Maresca’s plans – and former Manchester City striker Aguero is the latest club legend to give his take on the move.

Aguero: Anderson ‘could play a very important role’

Speaking during a new conversation with Stake, Aguero said: “From what I’ve read, City are currently leading the race for Anderson.

“He’s a very complete box-to-box player who wins the ball back and helps create play. He covers a lot of ground.”

Aguero then turned to how Anderson might slot into the side following Silva’s exit, adding: “With Bernardo’s departure, although they have different characteristics, he could play a very important role in the team if the transfer is completed.”

What would Anderson’s arrival mean for Manchester City?

A completed deal would represent a club-record outlay for City, reflecting just how highly Hugo Viana‘s recruitment department rate the type of profile Aguero has described.

Anderson’s situation also feeds into a busier picture in midfield more broadly, with City separately considering a double swoop that would see Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali brought in alongside his former St. James’ Park teammate this summer.

As City’s all-time leading goalscorer and one of the most recognisable voices still closely associated with the club, Aguero’s endorsement carries weight with supporters even if it has no bearing on the actual negotiations with Forest.

Aguero’s own caveat – “if the transfer is completed” – is a reminder that, for all the positive noise, City and Forest are still yet to close the financial gap that has stalled the move for weeks.