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According to recent reports, a surprise ‘wild card’ has emerged in the battle between Manchester United and Manchester City to secure Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson.

The Nottingham Forest star has been outstanding for the Premier League side in recent seasons, quickly establishing himself as one of the league’s most dynamic midfield talents.

It comes as no surprise that Anderson is currently being linked with a high-profile move, with the England international expected to feature in one of the most significant transfers of the upcoming summer window.

While Anderson has attracted interest from several clubs across Europe, Manchester City and Manchester United are believed to be leading contenders for his signature.

Although it was initially thought that he would be heading to the Etihad, new reports suggest Manchester United are confident they can outbid their local rivals in a potential £100 million deal.

Journalist Ben Jacobs has revealed that Manchester City are currently seen as the “front runners” for Anderson, though he emphasised that a Manchester United bid “is not to be discounted”.

Jacobs explained on talkSPORT, “City are in front and have already gained the player’s approval. But Manchester United haven’t stepped aside either.”

He continued, “If Manchester United make a move, Nottingham Forest will find themselves in a bidding war, which would make it even harder for either Manchester club to secure a fee below £100 million.”

“So while Manchester City still view themselves as favourites, a Manchester United offer cannot be ignored.”

Jacobs also highlighted that Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis could act as a “wild card” in negotiations for Anderson this summer.

“The better Anderson performs at the World Cup, the higher the valuation could rise, and it might make Evangelos Marinakis even more reluctant to sell,” he said.

“He’s unpredictable in any negotiation. This isn’t the typical club-to-club discussion you might have with teams like Brighton or Bournemouth, where there’s always a price, even if it’s not immediately disclosed.”

“Marinakis could wake up one morning and decide to sell for £90 million, the next day for £200 million, or perhaps after England win the World Cup, he might say there’s no price at all.”

“So there isn’t really a set timeline here. Both Manchester clubs face a risk — the longer they wait, the more Elliot Anderson’s value could rise.”