UMVA has learned that Manchester City are gearing up to submit a second bid for highly sought-after Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson, following the rejection of their initial offer.
The reigning champions are willing to splurge over £80m to land the England international, but Forest remains resolute and may demand a fee comparable to the one Arsenal shelled out for Declan Rice.
This aggressive pursuit by City underscores their determination to bolster their midfield with top-tier talent. After a season of transition and uncertainty, they crave more dynamism, ball control, and Premier League-proven quality in the middle of the park.
Manchester United, however, is refusing to throw in the towel, despite City's favorable position in the race. The Red Devils still believe they can compete for the 23-year-old, even though City has already made the first formal move.
For United, the interest in Anderson makes perfect sense, as Michael Carrick looks to revamp his midfield. With a £35m deal for Atalanta's Éderson already in the works, Anderson would bring a unique set of skills: ball-carrying prowess, Premier League experience, and tactical flexibility.
City is poised to test Forest's resolve, with the East Midlands club showing no signs of being under pressure to sell at a discounted price. Anderson's impressive stats – four goals and four assists in 38 matches last season – have made him a hot commodity, and his valuation is expected to be steep.
With City having moved first and willing to pay top dollar, they appear to be the better-placed club at this juncture. United will need to act swiftly and decisively if they hope to land Anderson, but City's momentum suggests they may be the ones to beat.
