Manchester City are prepared to launch a big money assault to sign Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson, but face competition from Chelsea for the England international reports the Express.
Anderson has shot to prominence in recent months having played a starring role in Forest’s European finish under Nuno Espirito Santo last season.
However, Forest have started the campaign poorly and currently find themselves in 17th with just five points to their name after the opening seven matches. The Tricky Trees also relieved Nuno of his duties last month and replaced the Portuguese manager with former Tottenham head coach Ange Postecoglou.
The club’s fortunes, though, have not improved under Postecoglou. Indeed, the Australian has failed to win any of his opening seven matches and reports over the international break suggested that owner Evangelos Marinakis was considering another managerial change.
Anderson's England outings drawing interest
Forest’s poor form hasn’t impacted Anderson, who is shining for both club and country this season. Anderson, who switched international allegiance from Scotland to England, was vital as the U21s secured Euros glory in Romania earlier this year.
And his performances didn’t go unnoticed as the 22-year-old made his England debut back in September. Since then, Anderson has become a mainstay in the Three Lions setup, starting recent wins over Wales and Latvia as Thomas Tuchel’s side secured their spot at the 2026 World Cup.
“He’s just a very, very good football player. He has the physicality, he’s very mobile at No 6. He has the body, he loves to defend, he loves to put his body inside to duels. He loves passing, he loves to break the lines, he’s very mobile in this game. It was a pleasure to see,” Tuchel said of Anderson last month.
Now expected to be part of the England squad in North America next summer, Anderson’s rise to stardom has caught the eye of some of the Premier League’s powerhouse sides.
Man City and Chelsea keen on midfield star
City are reportedly prepared to make a £75m bid for Anderson, who only joined Forest from Newcastle for £35m last summer. The Cityzens are continuing to rebuild their squad following a trophyless season, this despite the high-profile additions of midfield pair Nico Gonzalez and Tijani Reijnders from Porto and AC Milan, respectively.
Long-term concerns over Rodri’s fitness may also prompt City to launch a big money move for Anderson. City, though, would face competition from Chelsea for Anderson as the Blues themselves look to add in the middle of the park.
Enzo Maresca isn’t short of midfield options with Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez, Andrey Santos, Dario Essugo and Romeo Lavia all able to operate at the base of the Italian’s favoured 4-2-3-1 setup. Lavia’s well-documented fitness issues and Essugo’s current spell on the sidelines leaves Chelsea in a spot of bother as the Blues gear up for a long season.
Forest will be reluctant to lose one of their star players but if they are unable to improve their form in the coming months, City and Chelsea, among others, may chance their luck with a big money move for the England star.
Anderson has proven to be a passing machine this season having attempted more passes (564) than any other player in the 2025/26 Premier League campaign.
Forest return to action with the welcome of Chelsea as Postecoglou aims to mastermind a first win since take over at the City Ground helm. The Blues won this fixture last season, claiming a narrow 1-0 victory to book a spot in the Champions League.
