Chelsea have entered the competition to sign Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson this summer, according to a report in The i Paper. The Blues join Manchester City and Manchester United in pursuing the 23-year-old England international, who has been a standout performer for Forest this season.
Anderson played a key role in Nottingham Forest’s successful Premier League survival campaign and their run to the Europa League semi-finals, scoring four goals and providing two assists in the league. His performances have also earned him a place as a trusted member of Thomas Tuchel’s England squad ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The Athletic reports that Manchester City are currently considered the frontrunners to secure his signature.
Nottingham Forest are believed to value Anderson in excess of €115million (£100m) following his influential displays, including a goal against his former club Newcastle United that helped secure their Premier League status. However, The i Paper suggests that a deal for Chelsea remains unlikely given the current instability at the club.
Chelsea are ninth in the Premier League and facing the prospect of missing out on Champions League qualification for next season, having sacked both Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior during a turbulent 2025-26 campaign. While a sixth-place finish, combined with an Aston Villa Europa League win, could still grant them Champions League access, the scenario appears improbable, requiring wins in their final two games and collapses from Bournemouth, Brighton and Brentford.
The club is also in the process of appointing a new permanent head coach, with Xabi Alonso heavily linked with the position. The i Paper speculates that Chelsea may shift their transfer strategy, granting more control to the incoming manager, with Alonso reportedly seeking significant influence over player recruitment. Alonso is currently a free agent after leaving Real Madrid in January, despite a successful spell with Bayer Leverkusen where he won the Bundesliga and German Cup in 2023-24.
Anderson’s value could further increase following the World Cup this summer, where he is expected to be a key player for England. Having made his debut in September 2025, he has quickly established himself in Tuchel’s starting eleven, contributing to a perfect qualifying record in Group K. A strong showing in North America could empower Forest to demand an even higher fee for their prized asset.
