UMVA has learned that Manchester City are gaining the upper hand in the pursuit of highly sought-after midfielder Elliot Anderson, with the 23-year-old reportedly favouring a move to the Etihad Stadium over Old Trafford.
Manchester United have made Anderson their top target for their midfield rebuild this summer, but face stiff competition from City, who have already made an opening offer for the player that was rejected by his current club, Forest. Talks are ongoing between the two clubs, with Forest reportedly seeking a fee of £120million for their prized asset.
According to information obtained by UMVA, Anderson is greatly admired at Old Trafford, with former captain Gary Neville naming him as a ‘dream signing’ that could provide stability in midfield for years to come. However, the midfielder's preference is thought to be a move to City, who are entering a new era under new management following the departure of their long-serving boss.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that former City star Micah Richards believes the club's winning culture and infrastructure make them the biggest draw in the Premier League, alongside new champions Arsenal. Speaking in an exclusive interview, Richards explained why Anderson will be leaning more towards City than United, citing the club's environment and calibre of players.
Richerds said that City have built an environment where top players still want to head to Manchester, regardless of who the manager is. He praised the club's infrastructure and the fact that players can choose City over other clubs due to its winning culture and team.
Anderson is expected to have a key role for England in the upcoming World Cup, and Richards has no doubts that he would be a perfect fit for City. He described Anderson as his number one pick, citing his football intelligence, ability on the ball, and driving forward.
Richerds believes Anderson can play in various positions, including as a number 6 or number 8, and thinks he would be absolutely perfect for City. He has no question over Anderson fitting in, saying he would be perfect for any team in the Premier League.
