Manchester City are battling with Arsenal for the Premier League title, but off the pitch the Cityzens are planning another bitter contest in the summer transfer window.
Pep Guardiola is hoping to knock the Gunners off their perch at the top of the league table and, with just five points between them, the two clubs are predicted to compete ferociously for the trophy until the final whistle on the final day.
This is nothing new for City, who have often been embroiled in tight title races with Liverpool in recent years, but there is still plenty of work to do to get over the line in the remaining ten games of the campaign.
The January transfer window has helped in their bid to remain within touching distance of Arsenal, with both Antoine Semenyo and Marc Guehi proving crucial in earning important points domestically and on the European stage since their mid-season moves to the Etihad.
The summer is set to be another busy period for City, whether or not they catch their competitors, as they look to regain their dominance and sustain their success.
Finding the perfect partner for Ballon d’Or winner Rodri has been a challenge for Guardiola, and maintaining quality in the deeper midfield roles has been difficult, with most of the midfielders at the manager’s disposal being attack-minded.
As a result, the latest reports from The Mirror will come as no surprise to City fans, with the club set to rival their biggest enemy, Manchester United, for the signing of Nottingham Forest star Elliot Anderson.
The publication claims that both Manchester clubs have made the England midfielder their main target this summer, though movement is not expected until after the World Cup.
Will Manchester City sign Elliot Anderson?
Anderson has skyrocketed into the spotlight since his 2024 move from boyhood club Newcastle United to Nottingham Forest, and this summer could prove life-changing for the talented midfielder.
England manager Thomas Tuchel is reportedly incredibly fond of the 23-year-old – once hailed as a “phenomenal player” by international teammate Reece James – and he is expected to be a key figure in the centre of the pitch at the World Cup for the Three Lions.
Therefore, his immediate club future will likely take a backseat while he prepares to head to America to compete, leaving City to wait and see whether he would be interested in a move to the blue side of Manchester.
Nottingham Forest have reportedly slapped a £100m price tag on Anderson, but with their Premier League status uncertain, that figure is expected to drop significantly should they find themselves relegated back to the Championship.
With that being said, City are expected to be poised and ready to pounce if Forest are relegated and once the World Cup concludes, as Anderson represents an outstanding homegrown prospect capable of future-proofing Guardiola’s midfield.
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