Elliot Anderson's impending £116 million transfer from Nottingham Forest to Manchester City is sending ripples through the Premier League's midfielder market, with Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United, and Tottenham all pursuing reinforcements in central midfield this summer.
The Anderson benchmark
The fee agreed for Anderson — the England international — is expected to establish a pricing reference point that shapes valuations across the board. Four names in particular are at the centre of the summer's midfielder conversations: Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes, Mateus Fernandes, and Alex Scott.
Tottenham's pursuit of Tonali
Tottenham have already lodged an offer of nearly £80 million for Tonali, only for Newcastle United to reject it without hesitation. Newcastle can point to the Italian's three-year contract and to the £36 million gap between that bid and the Anderson fee as justification for their stance.
Despite that impasse, Tonali is understood to be keen on a move to North London and would be prepared to sign a contract worth in excess of £275,000 per week if the clubs reach agreement. Manchester City were also monitoring Tonali as they finalised the Anderson deal, and it remains to be seen whether City will turn their attention to him now that the Anderson move is complete.
Arsenal maintain a long-standing interest in Tonali, as does Manchester United, though neither has made a concrete approach this summer.
Arsenal's move for Guimaraes
Arsenal have instead shifted focus towards Tonali's Newcastle team-mate Guimaraes, making contact through intermediaries. An informal proposal was reportedly turned down, and Newcastle — who have not received any direct approach from Arsenal — have no desire to sell their captain, who has two years left on his deal.
Guimaraes turns 29 in November and, while he is widely regarded as one of the Premier League's finest midfielders, his age may temper the fees clubs are prepared to pay compared to younger targets on the market.
The race for Mateus Fernandes
Tottenham are ready to pay up to £85 million for West Ham United's Fernandes, despite West Ham's relegation from the Premier League last season. Manchester United are also considering an offer, having previously valued the midfielder at £60 million — a figure they may now be willing to exceed as the market develops.
United have already secured the signing of Ederson from Atalanta in a deal worth up to £39 million, pending the conclusion of Brazil's World Cup campaign. They are looking to add at least one more midfielder, and a third could arrive should Manuel Ugarte depart.
Scott targeted by Arsenal and Man Utd
Bournemouth's Alex Scott is another target, with Arsenal and Manchester United considered the leading contenders. Bournemouth insist Scott is not for sale and would demand a substantial fee if pressed, having already held talks with the midfielder about a new contract. Scott narrowly missed England's World Cup squad and is expected to remain central to new head coach Marco Rose's plans.
A wider market in motion
Anderson's exit from Nottingham Forest is expected to prompt them to pursue as many as two new midfielders, with interest reported in Lucas Bergvall — who has told Tottenham he wishes to seek a new challenge — David Frattesi, Arne Engels, and Hayden Hackney.
Chelsea and Liverpool are also searching for central midfield additions, as are Everton, Crystal Palace, Brentford, Brighton, Leeds United, Sunderland, and the three promoted clubs. Everton had an approach for Hackney rejected by Middlesbrough, while Leeds United saw a bid for Southampton's Shea Charles turned down.
Internationally, Real Madrid's reported pursuit of Enzo Fernandez from Chelsea — valued at over £100 million by the Londoners — could have implications for Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga. Atletico Madrid have agreed personal terms with Joao Gomes at Wolverhampton Wanderers but are yet to finalise the deal, and their interest in Tijjani Reijnders at Manchester City may yet influence City's own decisions. Mateo Kovacic's future at the Etihad also remains unresolved.
Other Premier League midfielders who could move include Carlos Baleba, Adam Wharton, and Matt O'Riley. From Ligue 1, Lamine Kamara, Mamadou Sangare, and Ayyoub Bouaddi are attracting attention, while Serie A names Mandela Keita, Manu Kone, and Frattesi are also in the frame.
