Farewell Rodri, Manchester City swiftly secures superstar pursued by all of Europe

As the future of Ballon d'Or winner Rodri leans towards Real Madrid, Manchester City has quickly gained the upper hand in the race to sign midfielder Elliot Anderson.

Manchester City is preparing for a significant midfield change by accelerating the pursuit of Elliot Anderson, a player sought by many European giants. According to confirmation from Fabrizio Romano, the Etihad Stadium club has entered advanced negotiation stages with the representative of the Nottingham Forest midfielder.

This move occurs amid uncertainty surrounding Rodri's future. The Spanish midfielder has only about a year left on his contract and has not yet reached an extension agreement. Although no official departure decision has been made, Real Madrid's interest has forced Man City to prepare a replacement plan.

In the squad rebuilding plan under sporting director Hugo Viana, Anderson is considered the top target. The English player has impressed in the Premier League with his ability to control tempo, compete effectively, and provide defensive support. This is the type of midfielder suitable for the system Pep Guardiola is rebuilding.

According to multiple sources, Man City is currently the "leading candidate" in the race to secure Anderson's signature. Although Manchester United is also closely monitoring this deal, the city rival appears slower in the negotiation process. The opportunity to work under Guardiola's guidance is considered a factor giving Man City a clear advantage.

Nottingham Forest is reportedly set to demand a minimum fee of £80 million for their star. However, the situation could change if the club fails to secure Premier League survival, weakening their negotiation position. This opens an opportunity for Man City to finalize the deal at a more reasonable price.

Parallel to the plan to recruit Anderson, Man City also faces the risk of losing several key players like Bernardo Silva, John Stones, or Nathan Ake. This indicates a strong overhaul is underway, aiming to rebuild the squad for the next phase.

Although Rodri has not officially departed, Man City's urgency in seeking a replacement shows they want to avoid being caught unprepared. Anderson, with his consistent performance and high development potential, is expected to become a crucial piece if the deal completes.

With negotiations entering the final stage, this deal is likely to be settled soon, opening a new chapter for Manchester City's midfield.