Manchester City set to rival Chelsea for £75m England star | OneFootball

Anderson’s Rise Catching Guardiola’s Eye

Manchester City are reportedly preparing a £75 million move for Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson, as Pep Guardiola looks to strengthen his midfield options ahead of next summer. According to M.E.N Sport, Guardiola has identified the England international as a major target, viewing him as one of the standout emerging talents in the Premier League.

Anderson, 22, has become one of the division’s brightest prospects since joining Forest from Newcastle United in 2024 for £35 million. His impressive performances have caught the attention of several top clubs, including Chelsea, who are also believed to be keen on securing his services.

Sources close to the Etihad suggest that Guardiola has been closely tracking Anderson’s development and has grown into a significant admirer of the midfielder’s maturity, work ethic and vision. “Guardiola has been closely monitoring Anderson’s progress and has become a significant admirer of the England international,” the report stated.

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Midfield Concerns For City

While City remain one of the strongest sides in Europe, there are growing questions about the balance of their midfield. Nico Gonzalez has struggled to adapt to the intensity and tactical demands of Guardiola’s system, while uncertainty remains over Rodri’s long-term future amid reported interest from Real Madrid.

“The Ballon d’Or winner is being eyed by Real Madrid and could be enticed to join the Spanish heavyweights if he fails to agree on a new contract with City,” M.E.N Sport revealed. Losing Rodri would be a significant blow, particularly given how integral he has been to Guardiola’s recent successes.

Should the Spaniard move on, Anderson is seen as a natural candidate to fill that void. His versatility, ability to transition play quickly and composure under pressure make him a strong stylistic fit for Guardiola’s demanding philosophy.

Competition Building For England Star

Anderson’s rapid rise has not gone unnoticed. Chelsea have also expressed interest in the midfielder, seeing him as a potential addition to their growing contingent of young English players. For Forest, though, his departure would be a painful one after a breakout year that has seen him evolve into one of their most consistent performers.

His impact was recognised on the international stage when Thomas Tuchel handed him his first England call-up in August. Since then, Anderson has earned three caps and has become a regular fixture in Tuchel’s squad. “His development was acknowledged by Thomas Tuchel, who gave him his first England call-up in August,” the article confirmed.

With the World Cup in North America looming next summer, his value could rise significantly if he delivers strong performances on football’s biggest stage. Forest will likely face intense pressure to sell, but City are expected to move early in an attempt to strike a deal before the tournament begins.

“Anderson would prefer not to enter the tournament amidst uncertainty about his future,” the report added, suggesting that both parties may look for clarity before next summer.

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Guardiola’s Next Generation Project

Guardiola has always placed great emphasis on developing technically gifted young players who can fit seamlessly into his tactical blueprint. The pursuit of Anderson reflects his continued ambition to refresh his squad with emerging domestic talent.

City’s transfer focus in recent windows has leaned towards youth, with the likes of Rico Lewis and Oscar Bobb breaking into the senior setup. Anderson, already a full international, would represent a continuation of that approach. His combination of discipline, tactical understanding and creativity could make him a long-term fixture at the Etihad.

Should the move materialise, it would underline City’s proactive strategy to stay ahead of their rivals by investing early in future England stars.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

From a Manchester City supporter’s perspective, the potential pursuit of Elliot Anderson represents another example of the club’s intelligent, forward-thinking recruitment under Pep Guardiola. While £75 million is a considerable fee, it fits with the club’s recent pattern of targeting young, proven Premier League talents before their value soars even higher.

Many fans will recognise that City’s midfield, once the strongest in Europe, is approaching a transition phase. With Kevin De Bruyne entering the twilight of his career and Rodri’s future reportedly uncertain, signing a dynamic, homegrown midfielder makes strategic sense. Anderson’s ability to operate as both a deep-lying playmaker and an advanced ball-carrier could provide Guardiola with tactical flexibility for the years ahead.

Supporters may also see this move as a statement of intent following Chelsea’s rumoured interest. Beating one of their biggest domestic rivals to a player of Anderson’s calibre would reaffirm City’s pull and their commitment to building for sustained dominance.

If Guardiola truly sees Anderson as part of the next evolution of his side, then a summer move could be crucial. For now, the focus will be on ensuring stability in midfield, but it seems inevitable that City’s eyes are already on the future — and Anderson could well be at the centre of it.