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Manchester United and Liverpool have been informed that Elliot Anderson might be persuaded to depart Nottingham Forest, despite the club insisting the England midfielder will not be sold during the January transfer window.
The 23-year-old - who's been linked with several Premier League clubs in recent weeks, including Liverpool - is believed to feature prominently on United's wishlist as Ruben Amorim plots a comprehensive midfield restructure.
Forest has slapped a substantial £100 million ($131.2 million) valuation on the player, with questions emerging about whether United has the financial means to complete such a transaction. It's claimed Forest is determined not to part with Anderson during the winter window as the club seeks to turn around its form under Sean Dyche's stewardship.
Nevertheless, former United goalkeeper Ben Foster is persuaded that any interested parties could succeed if they're prepared to hold off until the summer. Newcastle, the club that Anderson departed to join Forest last summer, is also thought to be interested in bringing him back.
And Foster believes securing Anderson represents as "sure a bet as you can get" to bolster quality in midfield, having lauded his "phenomenal" work ethic. The former Wrexham and Watford shot-stopper also considers the £100 million valuation reasonable in the current market.
"It doesn't surprise me in this modern day as he's a very, very good player," Foster told talkSPORT. "He's so reliable and he's absolute quality all over the pitch. His work rate is phenomenal, and he looks like a really good lad as well.
"Forest wouldn't want to get rid, but if anybody did go and sign him, I'd say it's about as sure a bet as you can get when signing a player. Forest fans would definitely say no, but if there's a couple of teams in for him in the summer, you can't blame him for wanting to go.
"That's no disrespect to Nottingham Forest, who are a massive football team, but when you're talking about some of these big European teams, then the question's got to be asked."
Club owner Evangelos Marinakis is anticipated to have the ultimate say on Forest's valuation of Anderson. The price tag could exceed £100 million following his five-year contract signed at the City Ground in July 2024.
Discussing Anderson recently, Newcastle legend Alan Shearer said: "It (Anderson's exit from Newcastle) was the best thing. Although it was tough for Newcastle and it wouldn't have happened if it wasn't for PSR.
"But it was the best thing that happened to him, to get out and play. He wasn't going to get in Newcastle's midfield. You've got to give him credit. He wouldn't be far away now (from getting in Newcastle's midfield), I agree with that.
"He wouldn't have been able to do what he has done and is doing at Newcastle. Good for him. I'm delighted for him. He's gone from being a bit-part player at Newcastle to being one of the main guys at Forest and one of England's."
England manager Thomas Tuchel has also lauded Anderson as one of the Premier League's most potent midfielders. He stated: "Anderson is a key player for us at the moment. He is 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."
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