England manager Thomas Tuchel has given a clear endorsement of Elliot Anderson as Manchester City and Manchester United prepare transfer bids for the midfielder. Tuchel used the eve of the World Cup to underline Anderson’s rise and described the 23-year-old in the sternest terms.

Anderson made his England debut in September 2025 and completed a season in which he played every single game for a struggling Forest side. He finished the campaign with the most touches (3,300), duels won (297), fouls won (80) and possessions won (306) in the division, figures that have pushed him into the spotlight.

The midfielder has formed a strong dynamic alongside Declan Rice for the national team and is set to play a major role for his country in North America. England starts its World Cup campaign against familiar foes Croatia next Wednesday.

City and United both want to sign Anderson this summer. It would take a British record fee for Forest to part with him; the player could cost as much as £120 million ($161 million). City have reportedly submitted a bid worth the aforementioned £120 million ($161 million), which includes £15 million ($20 million) in performance-related add-ons. Forest are demanding more money up front, with owner Evangelos Marinakis digging his heels in.

Tuchel declined to dwell on Anderson’s future but made clear his admiration. “He’s a top player,” Tuchel said after England ’s warm-up victory over Costa Rica. “There’s nothing more to say, he’s the full package.

The German also warned of the personal pressures that can follow a big move. “Even if a transfer is completed, hopefully, he stays the same person. Nothing will change overnight with him if he wakes up, he’s not a new player.” He added: “People will try to hang around his neck this price but, in reality, nothing changes, he just changes the club and that’s the rules of the game,” Tuchel added. “Hopefully he just stays the same—a humble, determined, hungry football player.”

Meanwhile, City have also been linked with Sandro Tonali as they consider options amid the likely departure of Bernardo Silva to Real Madrid.

Manchester City have tabled a proposal for Elliot Anderson that begins with $141.7 million (£106 million) guaranteed and can rise, with conditional add-ons, to more than $160.4 million (£120 million). Fabrizio Romano and David Ornstein both reported the offer on Wednesday. City see Anderson as a player whose all-round qualities would strengthen their squad beyond the Pep Guardiola era, while Manchester United also remain interested.

Nottingham Forest have not accepted the bid and are thought to be seeking higher guaranteed funds. Ornstein points to the 2025 transfer of Alexander Isak from Newcastle United to Liverpool as a precedent: that move reportedly involved $167.1 million guaranteed, plus negligible add-ons. Forest appear to believe Anderson is worth at least that level. Eclipsing the Isak fee would set a new Premier League record for guaranteed money.

Players are only worth what another team is willing to pay for them. Clearly, Manchester City are already very close to matching Nottingham Forest’s valuation of Anderson and don’t consider $160 million too much, with the breakdown of guaranteed money and add-ons the main sticking point.

Forest are in a robust negotiating position. Anderson is 23, under contract for three more years and not facing imminent free agency. His recent form, including influential displays against both Manchester clubs, and his perceived high ceiling strengthen Forest’s case. From their perspective, the choice is straightforward: accept a figure that would be transformative for the squad or retain a young player who can continue to develop for at least another season.

Comparisons to other high-value Premier League transfers help explain Forest’s demands. Declan Rice’s move to Arsenal and transfers such as Enzo Fernández and Moisés Caicedo are cited as part of the market context, while Isak provides the most direct precedent for guaranteed money.

What seems extraordinary today may look different in a few years. Anderson, who turns 24 in November, could remain at his next club for a decade, which is part of why clubs are prepared to consider such sizeable fees.

The 2026 World Cup will be defined in large part by attacking players who arrive with clear form lines and specific questions to answer. Several forwards in North America carry momentum from strong club seasons, while others bring a mix of fitness concerns and huge potential.

Bukayo Saka notched a remarkable campaign as Arsenal claimed Premier League glory, but he enters the tournament in mediocre form. The Englishman produced 18 goal involvements in 2025–26 as injuries robbed him of momentum at key junctures. The 24-year-old has blistering speed, gazelle-like agility and a wondrous left boot. If England is going to win its first World Cup for 60 years, Saka must deliver on the right wing. Three goals and an assist in Qatar four years ago is an encouraging sign.

Luis Díaz has been integral to Colombia’s hopes. The Bayern Munich winger enjoyed a remarkable debut campaign in Bavaria that ended with a domestic treble, contributing 26 goals and 19 assists across all competitions. The tenacious 29-year-old missed the last World Cup through injury, so this will be his first tournament and he will be determined to lead his nation.

Raphinha’s 2024–25 breakthrough into Ballon d’Or contention gave way to a quieter 2025–26 at Barcelona because of fitness issues. Still, 28 goal involvements in 33 matches is an impressive return. The 29-year-old returned from injury in May and, after six weeks of action, could be a useful and versatile option for Brazil as Carlo Ancelotti’s side pursue a sixth title.

Ousmane Dembélé remains one of the most flexible forwards available. He beat Raphinha to the 2025 Ballon d’Or and, despite a slight dip in output, operated effectively as a false nine during a Champions League-winning campaign with Paris Saint-Germain. Dembélé is likely to resume a right-wing role for France, where his two-footedness and clean ball striking will be valued.

Vinicius Junior emerged with credit from a difficult season for Real Madrid, producing 21 goal involvements in 2026 and two goals in pre-tournament friendlies for Brazil. Michael Olise, a Bayern Munich standout, arrived in form after a pre-tournament hat-trick against Northern Ireland and a season of 25 goals and 28 assists in Germany.

Erling Haaland carried Norway back to the World Cup with 16 goals in eight qualifying matches. The Manchester City striker’s ruthless efficiency will determine how far Norway go. Kylian Mbappé, needing four goals to match Miroslav Klose’s record, arrives having produced consecutive 43-goal campaigns for Real Madrid and will remain France’s primary attacking threat, supported by Dembélé and Olise.