Elliot Anderson has reportedly reached an agreement to join Manchester City, although a crucial step remains before the Nottingham Forest midfielder can finalize his transfer to the Etihad Stadium.

City's Pursuit of Anderson

Manchester City has been the frontrunner to secure Anderson's signature for several weeks, despite facing significant competition from Manchester United, who have identified him as their top midfield target. Transfer expert Nicolo Schira has indicated that a deal between Anderson and City is in place, with discussions now intensifying between the Premier League runners-up and Nottingham Forest.

Transfer Fee Expectations

Nottingham Forest is anticipated to demand a transfer fee exceeding €115 million (£100 million) for Anderson, with some reports suggesting they may seek as much as €145 million (£125 million) for the England international. Should the transfer go through, Anderson could become Manchester City's record signing, surpassing the current record held by Jack Grealish at €117.5 million. Additionally, this deal would exceed Forest's previous record sale of €64 million, set last summer when Anthony Elanga moved to Newcastle.

Market Dynamics and Club Fit

Anderson's Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) stands at €57.7 million, significantly lower than the fee Nottingham Forest is aiming for, which may have deterred interest from Manchester United. Forest manager Vitor Pereira has remained non-committal regarding the potential transfer, stating, “The market is the market and everything can happen. What I can say to you is that the club wants to keep him playing for us, for sure.”

In terms of club fit, data analytics firm SciSports has evaluated Anderson's options between Manchester United and Manchester City. United received a Club Fit score of 67, while City scored 66. This analysis suggests that while United may offer more playing time, City could provide better development opportunities for the young midfielder.