Elliot Anderson is in line to command a record fee for an English player if he is sold by Nottingham Forest this summer.
Manchester City and Manchester United are strongly interested in the England midfielder, with City having an opening bid rejected last week. They are expected to return with a second offer in the coming days.
Daily Mail Sport understands that Forest are targeting a price in excess of the £105million Arsenal paid West Ham for Declan Rice three years ago. In an ideal world, they would bank up to £110m for Anderson.
Anderson is currently with Thomas Tuchel’s side preparing for their World Cup opener against Croatia on June 17. Fitness permitting, the 23-year-old is almost certain to be named in the starting XI alongside Rice in central midfield.
Anderson joined Forest from Newcastle United in a £35m deal which also included goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos going the other way. He has gone on to make 92 appearances for the club, including 50 in all competitions this season. At this stage, he is said to prefer a move to City over United, who nonetheless have not given up hope.
City are also preparing to appoint Enzo Maresca as coach to succeed Pep Guardiola pending discussions over compensation with Chelsea.
Nottingham Forest are demanding up to £110million for Elliot Anderson if he leaves this summer
Anderson is currently away on England duty as they bid to win the World Cup this summer
Anderson is key to Maresca’s plans and they want further additions after the departures of Bernardo Silva and John Stones.
Forest, meanwhile, are braced for interest in defender Neco Williams and playmaker Morgan Gibbs-White this summer though if Anderson moves, there would be less pressure to make further significant sales.
