Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson would favor a move to Manchester City ahead of Manchester United, in keeping with reports.
Anderson is one of the vital in-demand players ahead of the summer transfer window having established himself as one one of the best midfielders within the Premier League together with his impressive performances for Forest this season.
The 23-year-old can also be heading in the right direction to secure a spot in England’s World Cup squad this summer following his solid midfield displays under Thomas Tuchel.
Anderson, who joined Forest in a £35 million deal from Newcastle United in 2024, has attracted interest from City, United and Chelsea.
Nevertheless, The Mirror reports that City imagine they’ve won the race to sign Anderson this summer and are confident they’ll agree a £65m fee with Forest.
The report adds that City are well aware of United’s interest but Anderson has Anderson ‘has let it’s known’ that his preferred selection is a move to Pep Guardiola’s side.
City are also keen to finish a deal for Anderson before the beginning of the World Cup with a view to avoid a bidding war with rival Premier League clubs.
Speaking earlier this week, Rio Ferdinand insisted that United should make the signing of Anderson their priority for the summer window.
‘Guimaraes and Tonali wouldn’t be my first-choice midfield signings this summer,’ Ferdinand said on his Rio Presents YouTube channel.
‘It’s Elliot Anderson. His age, he’s 23 years old… Guimaraes is 28 and Tonali is 25, soon to be 26, in order that counts for rather a lot for me. I need young, hungry players in my squad.
‘He complements Mainoo. I believe Mainoo goes to be certainly one of the important players within the team now, they’re going to construct around him and I believe Elliot Anderson absolutely complements him.’
‘Anderson has that ability, that energy to get across the park, he’s aggressive. We’d like those legs. And he wins the ball. He’s more combative than the opposite two.
‘Elliot Anderson is the one player to win over 150 duels, win possession greater than 150 times, and win at the very least 50 fouls within the Premier League, the entire Premier League I need to add, this season. They’re my the explanation why, guys.’
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