Manchester City is poised to secure the signing of Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson in the upcoming summer transfer window, according to Sky Sports News. The club is among several top teams vying for the player's signature, including Manchester United and Arsenal, but insiders believe the Etihad Stadium is his likely destination. The 23-year-old England international has garnered significant attention from Premier League rivals since his £35m move from Newcastle United to Forest in July 2024. Anderson's contract at the City Ground is set to expire in June 2029, and his value is expected to be substantial given his status as one of the elite central midfielders available in the next window, alongside Sandro Tonali, Adam Wharton, Carlos Baleba, and potentially Aurelian Tchouameni.
City has been impressed with Anderson's development since joining Forest and enjoys excellent relations with the club. The midfielder's potential arrival could be part of a summer overhaul, with uncertainty surrounding the futures of Mateo Kovacic and Nico Gonzalez, while Bernardo Silva's departure has already been confirmed.
Meanwhile, City is also looking to retain Rodri, who has attracted interest from Real Madrid, and is keen to sign a new contract with his current deal expiring in 2027. Additionally, the club is exploring other positions, including forwards, with RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande and Bournemouth striker Eli Junior Kroupi emerging as potential targets. Diomande is highly sought after, featuring on the lists of Liverpool and Bayern Munich, among others, while Kroupi has made a promising start at Bournemouth, scoring 11 goals in 29 Premier League appearances.
Although City's forward line is well-stocked, with Savinho and Jeremy Doku on the left-wing and Omar Marmoush as the backup centre-forward to Erling Haaland, the club is also monitoring the progress of young Feyenoord defender Givairo Read as a potential right-back option. The potential partnership between Anderson and Rodri is an intriguing one, with both players offering unique strengths. While they share similarities as midfield anchors, their functions differ due to the teams they play for.
Anderson excels as a tough tackler, ranking third in the division, whereas Rodri is more passive in this area, given City's possession-based style. However, Rodri is exceptional at distributing the ball under pressure, boasting a high retention rate, and Anderson is superb at carrying the ball, an aspect Rodri has reduced since his ACL injury. The prospect of a Rodri-Anderson partnership is enticing, but Anderson must be wary of the fate of other high-profile midfielders who have failed to deliver at the Etihad. The example of Kalvin Phillips serves as a cautionary tale, while Matheus Nunes's transition to full-back highlights the demands of working under Pep Guardiola.