Manchester City set to beat Manchester United to Elliot Anderson swoop | OneFootball

Manchester City are in pole position to sign Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson, who is also attracting interest from Manchester United.

The 23-year-old is expected to depart the City Ground this summer, and according to BBC Sport, Anderson is increasingly favouring a move to the Etihad Stadium over Old Trafford.

He enjoyed a standout 2025/26 campaign under Vitor Pereira, playing every Premier League game to help guide Forest to safety.

City are eager to secure his services as they prepare for a new era following Pep Guardiola’s departure. With ex-Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca heavily tipped to take the reins, signing one of English football’s brightest talents is a high priority, though a formal agreement is yet to be finalised.

Manchester United also retain strong interest in Anderson as they look to rebuild their midfield ahead of the 2026–27 campaign.

Michael Carrick’s side recently witnessed his quality firsthand when he provided two excellent assists against them at Old Trafford earlier this month.

Despite their interest, United are unwilling to be drawn into a bidding war, with the recruitment team maintaining a firm stance on valuation, giving City an early advantage in negotiations.

Should a transfer materialise, the final fee is expected to surpass the current British transfer record—eclipsing the £105m Arsenal paid West Ham for Declan Rice.

Forest are in a strong bargaining position, aware that Anderson is their most valuable asset. The midfielder is set to feature in Thomas Tuchel’s starting XI for England at the upcoming World Cup in North America, playing alongside Rice in central midfield. A breakout performance on the global stage could drive his price tag even higher.