What Elliot Anderson 'will be thinking' amid Man City and Manchester United transfer battle

Elliot Anderson has been interesting a number of Premier League rivals since joining Forest from Newcastle United in July 2024 for a fee of £35m

Gareth Barry believes a number of questions will be running through Elliot Anderson’s mind as both Manchester City and Manchester United prepare to battle for his signature.

Both City and United are monitoring Anderson's progress before a potential summer move for the £100million-rated Nottingham Forest star. Since moving to the City Ground from Newcastle United in the summer of 2024, the 23-year-old has established himself as one of the best young midfielders in the Premier League.

Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur are also believed to be keen on signing Anderson this summer, but a two-way battle between City and United is expected to take place. But, as recently reported, Pep Guardiola's side are right at the front of the queue to sign the 23-year-old, who is expected to leave the City Ground this summer, regardless of whether Forest avoid relegation or not.

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And when asked what the midfielder will be thinking, Barry, speaking to the MEN via BetMGM, said: “I think he needs to look at his game time. If it were me personally and I were Elliott Anderson, then I would be looking at my game time.

“If Rodri stays at Manchester City, then he probably has less chance of playing as many games, although he would still get game time. But I would be looking at stuff like that, as he is still a young player, and he will want to be playing games.

“I’m an ex-Man City player, so I am not going to push any player to go to Man United, but I would be looking at who is going to be around and who I am going to be competing against.

“But even more, where is Pep going to be? Who is the Man United manager going to be? A lot of these things will be going through Elliot Anderson’s head at the minute if he is to leave Nottingham Forest.”

Rodri, whose contract expires at the end of next season, threw his City future into doubt last month when he said “you can’t turn down the best clubs in the world” after being asked about the prospect of joining Real Madrid.

But since then, Guardiola has claimed that the Spain international will sign a new deal with City, though he also wouldn't stand in the midfielder’s way if the La Liga giants came calling.

“I know what the club wants,” the Catalan said. “They informed me what they want from Rodri – it is to stay. Always my wish is that Rodri could stay as long as possible in this club. He’s an incredible player.”

He added: “There is no player that will turn down the chance to play for Madrid, I understand completely. He was born in Spain.

“If one player is not happy, they have to leave. I think he is happy, but if he is not happy, just knock on the door of the sporting director, accept an offer according to his incredible quality and after that, he belongs only to himself.”