'No chance' - Man Utd, Man City and Newcastle transfer twist in pursuit of £100m star

There has been a twist in Manchester United, Manchester City and Newcastle United’s pursuit of Elliot Anderson with there being “no chance” of Nottingham Forest selling him in January - according to a report.

The 23-year-old has become a player in serious demand over the last few months after becoming a part of Thomas Tuchel’s England side and one of Forest’s stand-out players.

Per Football Insider, Forest are set to make any potential move for him “impossible” in January while the City Ground outfit are planning to increase his current £100m price tag if he plays a key role for England at the 2026 World Cup next summer.

United, City and Newcastle have all been credited with an interest in the player. Anderson left the Magpies for Forest in a £35m deal but it is claimed the north east club will be unable to compete with the Manchester clubs when it comes to trying to get a deal done.

He is said to prefer a move to City and could be viewed as an heir to Rodri, who has struggled with injury over the last 15 months. United also lack a long-term solution in defensive midfield with ex-Real Madrid man Casemiro entering the final six months of his contract the club.

The Red Devils do have the option to extend the Brazilian’s deal but do not want to trigger an automatic one-year extension that will keep him on his current wages which are believed to more than £300,000-per-week. They want to extend is deal but on reduced wages.

United could look to other options with Carlos Baleba of Brighton pursued in the summer but the Red Devils were put off by the Seagulls’ £100m-plus asking price. Conor Gallagher has also been linked with Atletico Madrid reportedly willing to sell him permanently for £26m in January.

What has been said about Elliot Anderson’s future

“It is nothing to do with me, it is the powers that be,” Forest manager Sean Dyche said last month when questioned on Anderson’s future at the club. “They run the club and the financial side. I’m sure they will ask my opinion about the situation, if it is needed - not just about him but about all the players here.”

He added: “He is a good player. He has got everything in front of him. I have spoken to him about what I call the nuts and bolts of his performances. But I remember we had a similar thing with Jarrad Branthwaite and people used to talk to me about coaching him. I would say that he didn’t need it at that moment.

“Less is more for him (Anderson), I think. He is naturally going about his business the right way and is learning the game as he goes. You have got to be careful not to over-coach someone. I don’t think he needs that at the moment.

“We are allowing him to go and play and are just giving him some guidance and some pointers, that’s it really. I am enjoying what he is about and am enjoying his performances.

“He has got a bit of an edge to him in training when I quiz him about moaning all the time. I have a laugh with him about that. He is a very good player and is a good person as well. I like that mixture.”