Since joining Nottingham Forest last year, Elliot Anderson has rapidly developed into a standout performer and arguably the club’s brightest star.
Week after week, the midfielder delivers commanding displays that have not only cemented his place in Thomas Tuchel’s England side but also drawn admiration from managers across the Premier League.
As his stock continues to rise, several top clubs are preparing to test Forest’s resolve when the transfer window reopens.
Here, Transfer News Blitz writer Luke Maddison explores the real likelihood of Anderson leaving the City Ground.
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THE MIDFIELD MAESTRO
Why is Anderson attracting so much attention? Put simply, the former Newcastle academy graduate is enjoying the best football of his career.
The 23-year-old epitomises the modern central midfielder: technically sharp, deceptively quick, and unafraid to assert himself physically. His ability to influence both attacking and defensive phases makes him an all-action midfielder capable of dictating games in multiple ways.
His performances earned him a first senior England cap in September- a testament to his rapid elevation among the country’s elite midfielders.
During the most recent international break, manager Thomas Tuchel praised Anderson’s impact, saying:
“He is at the moment one of the best midfielders in the Premier League – that’s why he is with us and starting for us.
“He deserves it because he has been nothing but impressive. He has to keep on going now though. He is a very complete and mobile midfielder, and that’s what he keeps showing me.”
Despite not being a player who racks up goals or assists, Anderson’s influence on matches is undeniable. His intelligence, work rate and consistency have made him integral for both club and country.
WHO WANTS HIS SIGNATURE?
As Anderson’s performances grow in stature, so does the list of clubs hoping to lure him away. Manchester United, Newcastle and Liverpool have all been linked, and interest will likely intensify as the summer approaches.
Forest, however, have slapped a minimum £100 million valuation on the midfielder, and even that may not be enough. Reports suggest the club have no intention of entertaining offers in January, regardless of size.
Owner Evangelos Marinakis has a well-known reluctance to sell his top talent. His decision to block Morgan Gibbs-White’s potential move to Tottenham Hotspur in July is a clear reminder that Forest will not be pushed around in the market.
Anderson’s contract, which runs until June 2029, puts Forest in a strong negotiating position, and any club hoping to prise him away will need to table a mammoth offer.
MY PREDICTION
Every professional footballer dreams of lifting silverware, and Anderson is no exception. Forest have made major strides in recent years, achieving European football last season for the first time in three decades – but they remain without a major trophy since 1990.
My prediction? Anderson remains a Forest player beyond January. But if a major club arrives in the summer with a bid that matches Forest’s valuation, the temptation may prove too strong for both player and club to resist.
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