Manchester United have suffered a major setback in their bid to bring Elliot Anderson to Old Trafford, after a report reveals how the Nottingham Forest midfielder feels about a potential move to Manchester City.
Manchester United have long wanted Anderson from Forest. Although the likes of Adam Wharton and Carlos Baleba are also on the wish list of Manchester United’s co-owners INEOS, Anderson remains a player of great interest to the Premier League club.
Read: Solid bid for Oscar Bobb puts real pressure on Borussia Dortmund
However, Manchester United, who recently hired Michael Carrick as interim manager for the rest of the season, are not alone in their admiration for the England international. Manchester City are also interested in Anderson.
A couple of weeks ago, there were signals that Manchester City were increasing in confidence to beat Manchester United in the race for the signing of Anderson. Manchester City believe that Anderson, who is valued at £85 million, would prefer a switch to the Etihad Stadium rather than Old Trafford. Shortly afterwards, a bid is said to have been presented.
CaughtOffSide has now provided an update on Anderson’s situation, claiming that the former Newcastle United midfielder is looking favourably on a move to Manchester City.
While acknowledging interest in Anderson from Manchester United, Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Manchester City, the newspaper quotes a source as saying: “City have been keen to do the groundwork early on this deal.”
Manchester City have already held preliminary talks with Anderson’s camp, claiming that multiple sources have indicated that “Anderson favourably viewed a move to the Etihad Stadium as the ideal next step in his career”.
Read: Danish media reports Viking is getting ready for “a coup” in Denmark
Elliot Anderson is Manchester City’s next big target
Manchester City have already signed Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth and Marc Guéhi from Crystal Palace in the January window.
Manchester City are planning an aggressive approach to sign Anderson, just as they did with Semenyo and Guéhi.
Manchester United were among the clubs interested in Semenyo, but Manchester City triggered the buyout clause in his contract at Bournemouth and convinced the Ghanaian international that he would win major trophies at the Etihad Stadium.
Liverpool had long wanted to sign Guéhi, but it was Manchester City who got a deal in place for the England international and persuaded him to leave Crystal Palace mid-season, rather than wait for a free transfer elsewhere in the summer of 2026.
