Anderson has long informed Manchester United that he would choose Manchester City, yet the Red Devils have not given up! Tonali rejects a return to Serie A.

This summer, Manchester United could lose another "transfer Manchester derby" to Manchester City. Nottingham Forest's English international Elliott Anderson has already indicated to interested parties that he leans towards choosing City, as he has been a fan of the "Sky Blues" since his youth.

This summer, many top clubs are looking to strengthen their midfield, including both Manchester United and Manchester City. The two Manchester rivals have shown strong interest in the 23-year-old England international Anderson. Since joining Forest from Newcastle United in 2024, he has developed rapidly in the Premier League and the national team, becoming a versatile midfielder.

Both Manchester United and Manchester City currently share a similar strategy of wanting to refresh key positions with experienced Premier League players. However, United's transfer department was informed "weeks ago" that Anderson's preferred choice is Manchester City. Moreover, after Sir Jim Ratcliffe implemented a wage structure restriction, the Red Devils cannot compete financially with City's salary offers. Nevertheless, the club does not intend to give up and will compete until the end to see if circumstances change.

In recent transfer windows, Pep Guardiola's team has prevailed in several similar battles. A recent example is Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo in the January winter transfer window; both Manchester clubs were willing to pay £65 million for him, but the player chose to move to the Etihad Stadium.

Anderson remains focused on helping Nottingham Forest avoid relegation. Ahead of Thursday's Europa League match, he declined to discuss transfer prospects.

"I am only focused on football right now, working hard to perform well and giving everything for Nottingham Forest," Anderson said. "That is the only thing on my mind. These two years at Nottingham Forest have been incredibly meaningful to me. Honestly, I feel I have performed quite well during my time here. Both on and off the pitch, I have matured a lot. I am grateful to the club for providing this platform, allowing me to play and showcase my strengths."

Forest's new head coach, Vitor Pereira, insisted that he is unaware of any interest from other clubs in Anderson or Morgan Gibbs-White. The latter has also been rumored this week as a summer target for both Manchester United and Manchester City.

Pereira stated: "I have not heard about that. There is work every day, and I believe they are fully committed to the team's objectives, which is what matters most. Morgan (Gibbs-White) is a top player, a captain, and a driven leader. Elliott is the same—a highly motivated, excellent player. That is why I took this job, because there are many talented players here. We need to prove daily through training and performances that we not only have skilled individuals but can also build a strong, cohesive team."

Anderson's contract with Nottingham Forest runs until June 2029, while Gibbs-White's expires a year earlier. Forest will not sell cheaply, especially if they secure their Premier League status. Anderson's valuation could reach as high as £100 million, with at least £80 million in fixed fees.

If unable to secure Anderson, Manchester United's other targets include Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton, Brighton's Carlos Baleba, and Newcastle's Sandro Tonali. Among them, the 25-year-old Italian international Tonali has expressed his intention to stay in the Premier League, ruling out a return to Serie A, meaning rumored interest from Juventus is unlikely to materialize.

The UK's Daily Mail reports that Tonali does not see Serie A as the best next step in his career and prefers to remain in the Premier League. This season, six Premier League teams advanced to the Champions League round of 16, including Tonali's Newcastle, whereas only Atalanta narrowly progressed from Serie A.

However, it will be difficult for the "Magpies" to secure Champions League qualification next season. If Carrick can lead Manchester United to maintain a top-four position, the club may have a chance to sign Tonali this summer. After all, Manchester City does not require many new midfielders, likely seeking at most one successor for Bernardo Silva or Rodri.