Vítor Pereira has refused to guarantee Elliot Anderson will remain at Nottingham Forest beyond this season, potentially opening the door for renewed interest from Manchester City and Manchester United.
Anderson has become one of the Premier League’s standout midfielders since arriving from Newcastle United in a £35 million move during the summer of 2024.
Now, after a remarkable campaign statistically and emotionally, his future is becoming one of the most closely watched stories heading into the transfer window.
Pereira avoids ruling out transfer
The Forest manager was asked directly about Anderson’s future after the midfielder scored a dramatic late equaliser against Newcastle on Sunday.
Rather than dismissing speculation, Pereira acknowledged the player’s quality and admitted he could not offer guarantees.
“I cannot say, I don’t have the answer. I know he deserves the top of the world.”
The comments are likely to intensify interest from Manchester City, who are believed to be leading the chase for the 23-year-old.
Manchester United have also been linked, although reports suggest concerns remain over entering a bidding war that could exceed £100 million.
Having followed Anderson’s development this season closely, his rise has been driven not only by technical ability but also by consistency, intensity and tactical intelligence.
Those qualities have made him one of the most complete midfield performers in the division.
Anderson’s numbers underline his impact
Few midfielders in Europe can match the statistical influence Anderson has delivered this season.
Across 36 Premier League appearances, he ranks first in the division for total touches, ball recoveries, possession won, ground duels won and line-breaking passes.
| Elliot Anderson PL Stats 2025/26 | Total |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 36 |
| Goals | 4 |
| Assists | 2 |
| Total touches | 3,064 |
| Ball recoveries | 281 |
| Possession won | 276 |
| Ground duels won | 270 |
| Line-breaking passes | 246 |
Source: Premier League statistical data – 10 May 2026
Those numbers help explain why elite clubs are monitoring him so closely.
His profile combines defensive output, ball progression and relentless work rate — attributes increasingly valued by possession-dominant sides like Manchester City.
Emotional week adds deeper meaning
Anderson’s equaliser against Newcastle came only days after the funeral of his mother, Helen.
His celebration, pointing a heart gesture towards the sky, became one of the emotional moments of the Premier League weekend.
Pereira admitted the midfielder’s mentality had deeply impressed everyone at the club.
“I believe that he is honouring his mother, going inside the pitch and running until the last metre, until the last breath.”
The Forest manager also revealed coaches had noticed Anderson looked sharp even during the pre-match warm-up.
That emotional backdrop only strengthened admiration for his performance against his former club.
Why Forest still hold strong position
Despite growing speculation, Forest are under little pressure to sell immediately.
Anderson still has more than three years remaining on his contract, and the club’s Premier League survival now confirmed removes another potential pressure point heading into the summer.
However, the scale of interest could become difficult to ignore if formal offers arrive from clubs capable of competing for major honours.
Much will depend on how aggressive Manchester City become and whether Manchester United are prepared to match Forest’s valuation.
However, it remains too early to know whether any club will formally approach the £100m level being discussed internally.
What’s next?
Forest will now focus on finishing the season strongly after securing Premier League survival, while Anderson’s future is expected to become a major topic once the transfer window opens.
For Manchester City and Manchester United, the coming weeks could determine whether interest develops into serious negotiations.
For Forest, keeping Anderson may become one of the club’s biggest summer priorities.
Should Nottingham Forest fight to keep Elliot Anderson at all costs this summer?
0 Comments
First read message
Leave a comment
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *