Man City Edge Man Utd in Battle for Forest's Anderson as £65m Deal Takes Shape

The scramble for Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson appears to be over, with Manchester City emerging victorious in a high-stakes tussle with their local rivals Manchester United.

According to reports, Anderson has made his preference clear by turning down United's overtures and signalling his desire to move to the Etihad. City's hierarchy are sufficiently buoyant about their chances that they believe the race is theirs to lose, with confidence growing around a £65m package.

The 24-year-old midfielder has become one of the Premier League's standout performers this season, catching the eye of Europe's elite and establishing himself as a genuine England prospect ahead of the World Cup in North America. Both Manchester clubs have been monitoring his progress closely, viewing him as central to their respective midfield overhauls this summer.

City are keen to accelerate matters and get the deal wrapped up before the tournament begins, keen to avoid any potential price hike should Anderson shine on the international stage. That said, the initial valuation had been touted at around £120m, making the £65m figure represent something of a bargaining win.

Transfer analyst Fabrizio Romano, however, has poured some cold water on suggestions the deal is imminent. While confirming that City have initiated discussions with Anderson's representatives and begun preliminary negotiations with Forest, Romano stressed that nothing substantive has been agreed between the clubs themselves.

The complication, he explained, stems from Forest's precarious league position. With the club battling relegation, Anderson remains crucial to their survival hopes, making this an inopportune moment for formal negotiations. The fee and terms will ultimately depend on Forest's final-day destiny and the disposition of owner Evangelos Marinakis.

United, meanwhile, remain interested and continue to monitor the situation, though City's head start appears decisive. Beyond Anderson, United are also eyeing alternatives including Sandro Tonali as they prepare for a significant midfield recruitment drive.