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Elliot Anderson is setting aside any potential summer transfer drama, keeping his attention firmly on the World Cup with England rather than contemplating whether he'll be lining up for Manchester United, Manchester City, or even Bayern Munich when the 2026–27 season kicks off.
Anderson's impressive performances for Nottingham Forest and England—he's expected to feature in the starting lineup for England's World Cup opener against Croatia on June 17—have drawn interest from top clubs seeking midfield reinforcements. The 23-year-old carries a price tag north of $132 million (£100 million) according to Forest's valuation.
The midfielder spoke to journalists this week as part of his media duties ahead of England's World Cup warmup fixture against Japan, where the topic of his future inevitably came up. He was quick to emphasize that his sole focus is on delivering at the World Cup, rather than entertaining transfer speculation.
"Obviously, we've got the World Cup this summer so all my eyes are on that," Anderson said. "Playing for England, I've got the badge on now so that's all I'm thinking about at the moment."
Anderson Has His Pick of Clubs
Manchester United were believed in recent months to have pinpointed Anderson as their primary transfer target. However, interest from Manchester City—against whom the midfielder netted a stunning Premier League goal in early March—has made the race considerably more complex.
Bayern, a club with a strong track record of poaching talent from the Premier League, have also been mentioned as a potential destination.
Anderson appears likely to hold significant sway over his next move, with any signal of preference toward a specific club expected to strengthen that side's hand in dealings with Nottingham Forest. The club stands to make a substantial profit on a sale, having reportedly paid $44.8 million to sign Anderson back in July 2024.
Market Flush With High-Profile Alternatives
Anderson isn't the only nine-figure midfielder generating buzz ahead of the summer window, and clubs that miss out on him will have no shortage of high-caliber alternatives to pursue.
Manchester United were reported last week to have made unexpected headway in a potential move for Newcastle United's Sandro Tonali. The Italian international has also attracted links to Manchester City, Arsenal, Barcelona, and Real Madrid over the past year or so.
Real Madrid's apparent reluctance over Rodri, despite the player openly expressing enthusiasm about a move to the Bernabéu, could push them into the broader market in search of a commanding central midfielder.
Manchester United were also previously reported to be eyeing Tonali's Newcastle teammate Bruno Guimãraes, a player who has similarly attracted past attention from Manchester City.
Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton and Brighton & Hove Albion's Carlos Baleba also fit a comparable profile as dynamic central midfielders who appear ready to make the leap to a higher-profile club.