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Elliot Anderson has the potential to become “one of the very best”, according to Jack Colback, who told GOAL that the highly sought-after Nottingham Forest star represents a “traditional” type of midfielder capable of excelling in every aspect of the game. His all-round ability has reportedly caught the attention of both Manchester clubs, with City and United assessing the possibility of launching a major transfer move.

Anderson’s growing demand, however, comes with a hefty cost. Despite interest from both the Etihad Stadium and Old Trafford, luring him away from the City Ground will prove extremely challenging. Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis is known for being a shrewd negotiator and will only sanction a move if the club stands to gain significantly from it.

The club’s finances could see a major uplift if the decision is made to part ways with the promising England international and reinvest the proceeds elsewhere. Reports suggest that Anderson’s valuation exceeds the nine-figure mark, with City and United needing to offer more than £100 million ($134m) to sign a player expected to shine at this summer’s World Cup as part of Thomas Tuchel’s ambitious Three Lions squad.

Colback, a former Forest midfielder now speaking on behalf of Bally Bet, shared his thoughts on how Anderson has evolved into a complete midfielder: “He’s just very, very good. He’s a very old-fashioned kind of midfielder who does everything,” he said when asked about the player’s growing influence and future potential.

“These days, you often hear about specific roles like No. 6, No. 8, or No. 10. But Elliot can do it all. Defensively, he’s very strong. With the ball, he dictates the tempo and contributes creatively. He pushes forward and impacts both ends of the pitch. He’s one of those players who can do everything — he could be one of the very best.”

Anderson is not the only standout talent in Nottingham Forest’s current setup. Morgan Gibbs-White has also been a key figure, thriving in his playmaking role, while Brazilian defender Murillo has impressed with his performances at the back.

Colback, who was at the City Ground when Murillo joined the club, recalled recognising the qualities that made the 23-year-old centre-half unique: “I’ve seen him play live several times. He’s one of those players who might seem like he has a mistake in him, but his reading of the game and reactions are exceptional,” Colback said.

“They [Forest] have definitely missed him this season due to injuries, which has had an impact on their form. But credit must go to the club — their recruitment strategy has been outstanding for a few years now, and that’s down to the owner’s commitment.”

Murillo recently signed a new contract that will keep him at the City Ground until 2030. If he remains with the club for the long term, he, much like the influential No.10 Gibbs-White, could establish himself as a modern-day icon for the Reds.

Several players who have achieved legendary status at Forest have recently returned to familiar surroundings, including Jack Colback, a member of the 2022 promotion-winning side.

Nottingham Forest’s front-of-shirt partner Bally Bet has been working to honour long-serving grassroots footballers. Club great Mark Crossley was tasked with selecting the first-ever All-Stars Vets squad — a team representing the spirit of grassroots football and the personalities that make it special. Supported by several other well-known Forest figures, Crossley assembled the Bally Bet All-Stars, who were given a Premier League-style experience as they faced a side of hand-picked Forest legends at the City Ground on May 28.