18 May 2026 09:58 BST |
4 min read
Nottingham Forest boss Vitor Pereira has admitted that “everything can happen” amid significant transfer interest in Elliot Anderson ahead of this summer.
The England international has been one of the Premier League’s best midfielders this season, despite Forest’s struggles, and his stock could be set to rise even further if he performs well at the upcoming World Cup.
Rumours suggest that Forest may demand a fee in excess of €120 million to sell Anderson before the start of next season, with Manchester City and Manchester United both determined to secure his signature during the upcoming window.
He is regarded as the dream midfield signing by both Manchester clubs and he starred in his transfer audition at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon.
Anderson assisted both of Forest’s goals during their 3-2 defeat against Michael Carrick’s side, including a superb cross for Morato’s 53rd minute header, while he once again caught the eye with an all-action display in the middle of the park.
Man Utd have been forced to identify several alternative targets to the 23-year-old due to Forest’s asking price, but it’s understood that he remains their preferred option, and Pereira provided an update on his future during his post-match press conference.
Official: Vitor Pereira responds to Elliot Anderson transfer speculation
“He [Anderson] has the talent to be one of the top of the top, every time he can score more goals, especially he can be a little bit more, take a bit more the risk in the last third, he has a very good shot,” Pereira told reporters after his side’s loss at Old Trafford.
“It depends on the system. If we give him total freedom to build the play I think he can do everything but we are playing with two midfielders, if he loses every time the position, we have one midfielder.
“It is a system that doesn’t give him total freedom to create. He needs to understand when the other one loses the position, he cannot but he has a lot of talent and is young and will fly with big wings.”
When asked directly if Anderson will still be a Forest player next season, Pereira said: “This is an answer that I don’t have. The market is the market, everything can happen. What I can say to you is the club wants to keep him playing for us for sure.
“The club wants to keep the players. This is a very good group with quality, with character and we are in a very good place for the next season.”
Anderson, who has three years remaining on his current contract at the City Ground, has scored four goals and provided five assists in 49 games so far this term, and his Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) stands at just shy of €60m.
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