Manchester City are closing in on a £116 million deal for Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson, with the transfer expected to be announced imminently. The 24-year-old has been one of the Premier League's standout performers this season, despite Forest's turbulent campaign that saw them employ four different managers in a battle against relegation.
Anderson's Rise Through Turbulence at Forest
Forest's season began with promise after Nuno Espirito Santo led them to Europa League qualification, but quickly unravelled. Nuno was dismissed, followed by brief stints for Ange Postecoglou and Sean Dyche, before Vitor Pereira took charge. Amid the chaos, Anderson remained a constant, even helping Forest reach the Europa League semi-finals and scoring against his former club Newcastle United.
What His Coaches Say
Nuno Espirito Santo: “When he started the season he was playing wide, giving us a lot in terms of possession. But his numbers in terms of assists and goals weren’t there. Now, he’s reaching the box, shooting. He’s got goals and he has to believe he can do it.”
Ange Postecoglou: “He's outstanding. From the outside you know there's a talented player but when you work with him daily you realise he's got two or three levels in him. He's very focused and can play every midfield position in a three.”
Sean Dyche: “His best quality is he can break play up without fouling. His regains are brilliant. He's still got to learn positionally, but that's nit-picking. He's a very good player.”
Vitor Pereira: “I know he deserves the top of the world. To find a top player with this character is not easy. In the warm-up, my assistants said, ‘Elliot is on fire today’.”
Eddie Howe: “It was the most reluctant transfer I’ll ever do. We knew the quality of the player. It really hurts to see him score against us. He’s going to have a fantastic career.”
Thomas Tuchel: “He plays like he owns the place. He's still young and new to the national team, but he gets better and better.”
Impact at Manchester City
Anderson is expected to fit seamlessly into Enzo Maresca's system. His versatility, discipline, and ability to perform under pressure make him a valuable addition as City look to strengthen their midfield. The £116m fee reflects his potential to become one of the world's best midfielders.
