Elliot Anderson has sought to separate the transfer talk from his immediate objectives, telling reporters that his attention is fixed on the World Cup and his England duties. The player faced questions ahead of England’s warmup with Japan and made clear that speculation about moves to big clubs is secondary to his national-team commitments.

“Obviously, we’ve got the World Cup this summer so all my eyes are on that,” Anderson said. “Playing for England, I’ve got the badge on now so that’s all I’m thinking about at the moment.”

Reports in recent months have linked Anderson with Manchester United, who were thought to have identified him as a priority, while Manchester City are also believed to be in the market. Anderson’s early-March Premier League strike against City was singled out in coverage as evidence of his quality. Bayern have also been named as potential suitors.

Nottingham Forest, the player’s club, stand to benefit from any sale. The club paid a reported $44.8 million for Anderson in July of 2024 and would substantially profit from a transfer. That financial background is likely to give Forest leverage in negotiations and the player appears likely to have options if Forest decide to sell.

The wider market for high-value midfielders is active ahead of the summer. Manchester United were reported to have made sudden progress on a potential approach for Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali, a midfielder who has also been linked with Manchester City, Arsenal, Barcelona and Real Madrid. Real Madrid’s apparent hesitance over Rodri, after he talked up the idea of joining Los Blancos, has been identified as a factor that could broaden the market for a dominant midfield signing.

For now, Anderson intends to maintain his focus on England and the World Cup rather than on the speculation surrounding his club future.

England manager Thomas Tuchel has made clear that Harry Maguire’s recall does not guarantee a place on the 2026 World Cup roster, saying other centre-backs better suit his plans. Tuchel praised Maguire’s recent performance at Wembley but warned the competition is fierce.

“I got exactly what I thought: solid central defender play,” Tuchel said. “That’s what he does. Very good on the ball, very calm, strong in the air and [as a] weapon for set pieces.” He then listed four players he rates ahead of Maguire in his system. “I see other players I like to start for us, I see other players ahead with a ­different profile,” Tuchel bluntly admitted. “I see Ezri Konsa ahead, I see Marc Guéhi ahead. It’s no secret. I see Trevoh Chalobah on the level of mobility slightly ahead of him. Also John Stones, but he had injuries so he needed to come in camp.”

Tuchel’s inclusion of John Stones highlights a key dilemma: availability. Stones started Manchester City’s first three Premier League games of the season but has since been sidelined. The 31-year-old has made one top-flight start since August and has missed 21 games this term. Last season Stones missed 34 matches, the year before that 11, and in this international break a training issue forced him back to Manchester City without playing a single minute. Across the last four seasons Stones has sat out 78 matches; over the same period Maguire has missed 45.

Tuchel pointed to mobility when explaining why Trevoh Chalobah is closer to selection despite having one senior England cap to Maguire’s 65. Chalobah, only an inch shorter than the United defender, registered a top speed of 32.3 km/hr in this season’s Champions League, a figure compared in the draft to Newcastle United’s Dan Burn. Chalobah’s familiarity with Tuchel goes back to 2021–22, when the manager gave him 31 appearances across all competitions before his exit.

Ezri Konsa’s standing with Aston Villa manager Unai Emery was also noted. “Sometimes I think that he is not as ambitious as I am with him,” Emery once reflected. “I believe in him more than he believes in himself.” There is a case for pairing Maguire with Konsa, but Tuchel’s view places Marc Guéhi and others firmly ahead. After three weeks adapting to the demands of Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, Guéhi said: “There’s a lot of detail,” the former Crystal Palace defender smiled.

Summer transfer discussions are gathering pace with a string of high-profile links across the Premier League and Europe. Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali is reported to have a “gentleman’s agreement” with the club to allow his departure for a suitable fee should the Magpies fail to qualify for Europe next season. Newcastle currently sit 12th in the Premier League and the news will be welcomed by suitors including Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester United.

Elliot Anderson remains a target for several top clubs. Arsenal have emerged as serious contenders alongside Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea for the Nottingham Forest forward, who is valued at north of $133.5 million (£100 million).

Manchester United are linked with ambitious moves elsewhere too. The Red Devils are reportedly plotting a double signing from Everton for Iliman Ndiaye and former academy graduate James Garner, a package said to be worth $115.5 million (£86.5 million, €100 million). Barcelona have also been credited with offering Ferran Torres to Manchester United as part of wider plans to raise funds for attacking targets including Marcus Rashford and Julián Alvarez, with Arsenal also named among the interested parties.

Managerial possibilities are already shaping transfer speculation. Should Enzo Maresca replace Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, he has been tipped to target Marc Cucurella from Chelsea. Xabi Alonso is reportedly considering Arda Güler from Real Madrid if he takes charge at Liverpool, the midfielder being one of the few to have notably improved under Alonso during his brief time in Madrid.

Other reported developments include Arsenal showing interest in Brahim Díaz, with an estimated price of $40.4 million (£30.3 million, €35 million), and Chelsea joining the list of admirers for Tottenham centre back Luka Vuskovic, currently impressing on loan at Hamburg. Atlético Madrid are weighing moves for Mohammed Kudus and Lautaro Martínez, while Barcelona await Inter’s price for Alessandro Bastoni as they prepare a potential improved salary offer.