Midfield target's international form is driving up the price
Manchester City's pursuit of Elliot Anderson has taken on a new dimension. The Nottingham Forest midfielder is no longer just a promising Premier League talent; he is now building a case for a starting role at the World Cup, and that could make him significantly more expensive.
City need to reshape their midfield under incoming boss Enzo Maresca. The squad has already lost Bernardo Silva, and Rodri's future remains a topic of conversation. Anderson, at 23, fits the profile of a rebuild: he is Premier League-tested, capable of playing as a No 6, No 8 or hybrid shuttler, and brings the kind of energy and intensity Maresca will want.
The problem is that Anderson's performances for England are giving Forest more leverage. The Guardian's Jonathan Liew highlighted his running power, pressing and ability to play early into dangerous areas after the Croatia game. That kind of exposure, on a global stage, makes it harder for City to negotiate from a position of strength.
Sky Sports reported last week that City remain in talks with Forest for Anderson, with a deal expected to cost more than £100m. One bid has already been rejected. City are also considering Sandro Tonali, which underlines the scale of the midfield rebuild facing Maresca.
Anderson and Tonali are not identical targets. Tonali would bring more control and experience in a deeper role. Anderson is more vertical, more athletic, more disruptive, and potentially more adaptable across different match states.
City have built their success on control. But the Premier League has moved towards high-speed midfield contests, and Anderson can help City win those battles without sacrificing too much technical quality. He could also reduce the burden on Rodri, who cannot play every game.
The risk is fee inflation. If City wait and Anderson continues to impress for England, Forest can hold firmer. If City move too aggressively, they risk paying a premium for a player still early in his elite-level development.
This has become a test of City's conviction. They have enough evidence to believe Anderson fits. What they must decide is whether the World Cup is confirming their scouting work or distorting the market around it.
For Maresca, Anderson would be a statement signing. For Forest, he is the kind of asset who can define a summer. For City, this is the kind of deal that reveals whether their post-Guardiola rebuild is going to be patient, ruthless, or both.