Anderson reiterates his preference for joining Manchester City! Manchester United may only serve as a price-inflating tool, while Casemiro still recommends one player.

The Red Devils have always hoped to land Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson, yet the brutal truth is that the midfielder is leaning toward joining City. According to English outlets this week, City still hold the upper hand in the pursuit, even though United have not abandoned their pursuit.

The 23-year-old Anderson is expected to leave Nottingham Forest this summer. Authoritative BBC confirms that Anderson is increasingly inclined to move to the Etihad rather than Old Trafford. Although City have not yet reached an agreement with Forest, there is a significant valuation gap between the two clubs—roughly £25 million.

The situation could still change, but that is not an opportunity for United, as the Red Devils are also unwilling to pay an excessive price or get bogged down in prolonged negotiations. Nottingham Forest are demanding a British transfer record fee—more than the £105 million Arsenal paid West Ham for Declan Rice in 2023, and even exceeding the £115 million Chelsea spent on Moisés Caicedo!

There is a general belief within Forest that if a major sale happens this summer, it will likely be Anderson. If Anderson can perform well for England at the World Cup, that would put the club in an even stronger negotiating position.

Anderson won the 2025 European Under-21 Championship with England’s youth team last summer. He joined Nottingham Forest from Newcastle United in 2024 for £35 million, making 92 appearances and scoring six goals. Sunday’s match against Bournemouth was his 50th appearance of the season, and when he was substituted in the second half, he received a standing ovation from the crowd—possibly his farewell game.

Nottingham Forest head coach Victor Pereira stated that if no one meets the asking price, he would be happy to keep Anderson and another key player, Morgan Gibbs-White.

“I think if the club wants to compete for different objectives, we need to keep our best players,” he said. “Otherwise, if you change every season, it’s hard to maintain consistency and build a stronger team. Of course we can’t control the market, but I believe our ideas are aligned; the club and I want to keep most of the players and try to manage the situation.”

“talkSPORT” reports that Manchester City want to finalize Anderson’s transfer before the World Cup begins on June 11, and they have already held verbal talks with Nottingham Forest. City’s valuation of Anderson is £80 million—interestingly, the same as Manchester United’s estimate.

Anderson’s agent has held talks with both Manchester City and Manchester United. City are optimistic about convincing him to join, even though Rodri has signed a new contract, and they are ready to move. United are aware of Anderson’s inclination but still list him as their top target.

Nottingham Forest welcome this situation, as it can only drive up Anderson’s price. From United’s perspective, however, it is almost a dead end. Only if City fail to sign Anderson will United have a chance; but if City fail to get him, it will be 100% because of the sky-high price—a price United would also refuse to pay.

talkSPORT claims that Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis will personally handle Anderson’s transfer, as the club’s global football director Edu has been on leave since January. He has not set any asking price for City or United, intending to maximize profit through a bidding war.

Manchester United are also considering signing Newcastle United’s 26-year-old Italian international Sandro Tonali, but his price and wages are also high, leaving the club hesitant. Italian transfer expert Fabrizio Romano confirms that 34-year-old Casemiro is instead recommending that his former club sign his Brazilian compatriot Bruno Guimarães to replace him.

“Casemiro believes Guimarães is a better fit for Manchester United’s midfield,” Romano said. “He thinks Bruno has Premier League experience, physicality, and personality to immediately handle the pressure of playing for United. Of course, it’s also related to their Brazilian connection—Casemiro feels Guimarães has the leadership qualities needed in the dressing room.”

Romano added: “Tonali is technically a top midfielder, but there are still doubts within the United squad about his adaptation and whether he can maintain the same intensity and dominance in United’s games. According to reports, Casemiro believes Guimarães can control the tempo, energize the midfield, and quickly become a leader at Old Trafford. The feeling is that Tonali is excellent, but Guimarães—who captained Newcastle—seems more suited to United.”