€60m market value 

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Elliot Anderson’s rise from a young prospect struggling to gain first-team minutes at boyhood club Newcastle to one of the best midfielders in the Premier League at Nottingham Forest has been a meteoric journey. The 23-year-old has become a regular England international under Thomas Tuchel, and many expect him to start at this summer’s World Cup.

These performances have not gone unnoticed by the Premier League’s elite clubs, and Forest will have an almighty task on their hands to keep Anderson at the City Ground beyond this summer. The latest reports suggest that league leaders Manchester City are prepared to make a very important financial proposal to Anderson, and currently lead the race for his signature. However, rivals Manchester United still remain attentive and keen. So why is Anderson such hot property? Let’s take a look.

Why Elliott Anderson is so sought-after

Anderson signed for Forest from Newcastle in 2023 for €41.2 million in a deal that was highly-motivated by staying on the right side of the Premier League’s financial rules. At the time, that price seemed inflated – Anderson had a market value of just €15m and had played just 1,425 league minutes for the Magpies, scoring zero goals and providing three assists. Nevertheless, two years down the line and that price looks a steal.

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has opened up this season about his frustrations at letting Anderson go: “It is very regretful a player from the academy who had given so much, for him not to be utilised here is a real shame.” Howe also admitted that Forest got themselves a bargain, “We knew that the minute it was going to happen, or likely to happen, that we were massively selling him at a big discount. But we weren’t in a very strong negotiating position at all, and it was that or a points deduction. I’ve said many times we had no choice but to make the sale, but it was not one we wanted to do.”

That has proved to be the case, with Anderson’s market value steadily rising in a Forest shirt. It currently stands at €60m, but that figure could rise further in the next upcoming Premier League market value update in June. Only James Garner (104) and João Palhinha (97) have completed more tackles than Anderson’s 94 in the Premier League this season, whilst no midfielder in the division has completed more passes than Anderson (2,122). He possesses fantastic ability both on and off the ball in midfield.

How much would Elliott Anderson cost?

Some reports suggest that Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis wants north of €100m to allow Anderson to leave the clubs this summer, but that certainly does seem ambitious. As illustrated in the graphic below, only four centre-midfielders have ever made moves to Premier League clubs for fees more than €75m. However, all three of those who have moved for €100m+ have been in the last four seasons, and Forest may look at the likes of Moisés Caicedo in their argument for Anderson’s price-tag.

There is also the infamous ‘English tax’ with Anderson, and at 23, time is on his side. As aforementioned, Anderson’s current €60m market value is likely to rise in the next update, but unlikely to go near or above €100m given the current market and other players in his position with far more experience at the top of the game. It’s likely that Man City will try to negotiate this fee down and should Anderson push for the move, it will put Forest in a weaker negotiating position.