As the Crickex Sign Up match routine follows another tense Premier League transfer race, Manchester United have long dreamed of signing Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson, but the harsh reality is that the player appears to prefer Manchester City. Reports in the British media this week claimed that City remain ahead in the battle for Anderson, even though United have not dropped their interest. For Old Trafford, the problem is not only the fee, but also the growing feeling that they may simply be helping push the price higher.
The 23 year old Anderson is expected to leave Nottingham Forest this summer, and the BBC has confirmed that he is increasingly leaning toward a move to the Etihad rather than Old Trafford. Manchester City have not reached an agreement with Forest, and the two clubs remain far apart in their valuations, with the gap believed to be around 25 million pounds. The situation could still change, but that does not really open the door for United. The Red Devils are also unwilling to overpay and do not want to be dragged into a long negotiation.
Nottingham Forest are demanding a fee that would break the British transfer record for an English player. That means more than the 105 million pounds Arsenal paid West Ham United for Declan Rice in 2023, and even more than the 115 million pounds Chelsea paid for Moises Caicedo. Inside Forest, many believe that if the club make one major sale this summer, Anderson is the most likely candidate. If he performs well for England at the World Cup, Forest will have an even stronger hand at the negotiating table, and Crickex Sign Up fixtures across a busy summer will only keep attention fixed on players of his profile.
Anderson helped England win the 2025 European Under 21 Championship last summer. In 2024, he joined Nottingham Forest from Newcastle United for 35 million pounds, and he has since made 92 appearances while scoring six goals. Last Sunday’s match between Forest and Bournemouth was his 50th appearance of the season. When he was substituted in the second half, the entire stadium rose to applaud him, a moment that may well have been his farewell.
Forest manager Vitor Pereira has said that if no club meets the asking price, he would be happy to keep Anderson and another key player, Morgan Gibbs White. Manchester City hope to complete Anderson’s transfer before the World Cup opens on June 11, and they have already held verbal talks with Nottingham Forest. City value Anderson at 80 million pounds, which is interestingly the same figure Manchester United have in mind.
Anderson’s representatives have spoken with both City and United, but City are optimistic about persuading him to join. Even if Rodri signs a new contract, they are still prepared to move for Anderson. United know the player’s preference, yet they continue to list him as a leading target. Forest are happy with that situation, because it can only increase Anderson’s sale price. From United’s point of view, however, it looks like a dead end. They only have a chance if City fail to sign Anderson, but if City fail, it will almost certainly be because the price is sky high, and United would not accept that figure either.
Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis will personally handle Anderson’s transfer because the club’s global football chief Edu has been on leave since January. He has not given Manchester City or Manchester United a fixed asking price and instead plans to use the competition to secure the best possible deal. United are also considering Newcastle United’s 26 year old Italy international Sandro Tonali, but his fee and wages would also be expensive, leaving the club hesitant.
As the Crickex Sign Up season rhythm moves toward another decisive summer, United have also been linked with other midfield solutions, and Italian transfer experts claim that 34 year old Casemiro has recommended his former club target his Brazilian compatriot Bruno Guimaraes as a long term successor. For now, Anderson remains the name at the center of the tug of war, but United risk being caught between City’s confidence, Forest’s demands, and a market where one wrong step can leave them paying through the nose.