Anderson's rise from League Two loan to potential British record transfer

Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Elliot Anderson scored four goals for Nottingham Forest last season - including one against Manchester City Four years since helping Bristol Rovers win promotion from League Two, Elliot Anderson faces what could be a defining summer. Anderson is expected to be one of England's key players at this summer's World Cup, and his stellar performances for Nottingham Forest have led to such significant transfer interest that he is likely to become the most expensive British footballer ever. The 23-year-old has quickly become a key man for national boss Thomas Tuchel - winning eight caps this season, just three years after being called up by Scotland. He is expected to start alongside Declan Rice in the heart of midfield when they begin their World Cup campaign against Croatia on Wednesday, 17 June (kick-off 21:00 BST). As he prepares for that, his club future remains uncertain, with Forest having already turned down a significant bid from City for Anderson as owner Evangelos Marinakis holds out for a reported £110m., external Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Anderson made 12 appearances for England Under-21s, scoring two goals Anderson was eligible to play for Scotland because of his Glasgow-born grandmother, and was selected by Steve Clarke for their Euro 2024 game with Cyprus. He pulled out through injury before opting to play for England - helping the Three Lions win the European Under-21 Championship last summer. Though Liverpool's Harvey Elliott was named player of the tournament - scoring six goals including the opener in the final win over Germany - Anderson stood out to the extent was picked in the best XI. He featured alongside Bournemouth's Alex Scott in midfield to provide England with a solid foundation - and the Forest player's tireless running was particularly impressive in the 3-1 quarter-final win over Spain. His injury-time penalty moved England into the semi-finals, where they beat the Netherlands en route to retaining their title in Bratislava. The summer was to be another platform for Anderson, and he carried his form into Forest's chaotic season. Despite playing under four managers in a successful battle against relegation, Anderson has been a consistent presence. In the 3-0 win at Tottenham in December, which moved Forest three points above the drop zone, Anderson created the most chances (three), completed more passes (38), won possession the most (nine) and made more tackles (six) than any of his team-mates. He impressed staff with his commitment, and regularly talks to coaches to discuss the best way to improve both himself and the team. His positional awareness has also earned praise, though his work-rate and desire to cover as much ground as possible means he can often tire himself out. A demanding individual, on himself and his team-mates, Forest view Anderson as having the potential to become a complete player. "It's been a big two years," said Anderson, who moved from Newcastle for £35m in 2024. "I think I've done pretty well in the time I've been here, on and off the pitch. "I've matured as a person as well and thanks to the club for giving me that platform, going out there and letting me do my stuff. "In players' careers, you never know where you're going to be. Moving from your hometown is a big step in your career. It was definitely something I needed to do and it has turned out really well. So I'm happy I made that step." Anderson's brilliant form has inevitably brought speculation over his future, with particular links to both Manchester clubs. Anderson scored a superb equaliser to salvage an unlikely point at City in March and the Blues have long admired the player. They firmed up their interest last week with an opening bid, and sources say they are expected to make another offer. Anderson tops the club's list of midfield targets following the departure of captain Bernardo Silva, and such has been his rise they will not be swayed from paying a fee that could become a record fee for a British player. Marinakis is known to be a tough negotiator and is understood to want more than the £105m Arsenal paid to sign midfielder Declan Rice from West Ham in 2023. BBC Sport has previously reported Anderson is leaning towards a move to City over rivals United. Anderson's eye-catching performances earned him a place in the team of the season in BBC Sport's first end-of-season football awards. And the statistics make for incredible reading. Among all top-flight players, Anderson managed to: Have the most touches of the ball (3,300). Win possession the most times overall (306) as well as in the middle third (154) and defensive third of the pitch (127). Among central midfielders, he made the most line-breaking passes (376), completed the most overall passes (2,038) and made the most dribbles (95). He became the first player since Rice in 2019-20 to win possession more than 300 times and make more than 100 in a Pre

Anderson's rise from League Two loan to potential British record transfer

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