Nottingham Forest are seemingly testing the waters for long-term heirs to star midfielder Elliot Anderson, with the Englishman now a man in serious demand.
Elliot Anderson attracts serious interest ahead of 2026
Anderson has emerged as one of English football’s most coveted midfielders following his sensational performances for Forest this season, with Man City reportedly establishing themselves as frontrunners for his signature despite the club’s eye-watering £100 million asking price.
The 23-year-old has exploded onto the scene at Forest since departing Newcastle in 2024, a move that originally stemmed from the Magpies’ PSR pressures.
Anderson has transformed into one of England’s brightest prospects, establishing himself as a near-certainty for Thomas Tuchel’s squad at the 2026 World Cup.
City have especially been ‘captivated’ by Anderson’s abilities, with Etihad scouts apparently watching the midfielder over ten times this season (Sky Switzerland).
Reports suggest Pep Guardiola views Anderson as the perfect successor to Rodri and an ideal fit for his system, appreciating the youngster’s versatility to operate as either a holding midfielder or box-to-box number eight.
Most significantly, Anderson is said to have privately informed his representatives that City are his preferred destination should he leave the City Ground.
This revelation provides the Premier League title contenders with a crucial advantage over fierce rivals Man United, who had identified Anderson as their priority midfield target for 2026.
Arsenal identify marquee Nottingham Forest star who Arteta loves as 'top target'
The Spaniard is a big fan.
ByEmilio Galantini
However, Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis remains steadfast in his valuation, demanding fees potentially exceeding £100m for a player contracted until 2029.
Anderson has been exceptional for Forest throughout the campaign, winning more duels than any other player in the Premier League this season.
His combative presence, defensive tenacity and progressive passing have caught attention across Europe, with Liverpool also rumoured to be monitoring his situation closely.
Any departure remains unlikely until the summer, with Forest determined to retain their prized asset in January.
A standout tournament performance next summer could push Anderson’s valuation even higher, though his believed preference for Eastlands suggests City hold an advantage when negotiations eventually intensify.
As Sean Dyche faces the looming threat of his star midfielder next year, the Tricky Trees have begun succession planning.
Nottingham Forest make approach for Atalanta sensation Sergej Levak
According to TUTTOmercatoWEB reporter Andrea Losapio, Forest have made an enquiry to sign Atalanta Under-23 midfielder Sergej Levak.
The 19-year-old has impressed significantly since arriving from Roma last summer, making 13 appearances and scoring three goals in Serie C’s Group C during his debut professional campaign for Atalanta’s ‘B team’.
His performances have grabbed attention across multiple divisions, with Forest making a preliminary approach to gauge Levak’s availability.
Levak stands at a towering 6 foot 4 and combines technical ability with physical presence, earning comparisons to former Manchester United and Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matic.
Atalanta moved quickly to secure his signature ahead of strong competition from Genoa, Parma, Juventus and Inter Milan, who all explored routes to sign him through their respective Under-23 setups before promoting him to senior level.
Beyond Forest’s attention, several Serie C clubs alongside various European teams have shown interest in securing Levak’s services.
However, sources indicate Roma harbored doubts about his capabilities before his departure, making Atalanta’s swift intervention particularly shrewd business.
The Bergamo side are now faced with an important decision regarding Levak’s pathway. Options include allowing him to complete his debut season with the Under-23 side or entertaining January offers from clubs across different leagues.
The Croatian sensation is a fairly unknown quantity, but Forest’s interest perhaps indicates they have scouts working in Italy to identify top talent.