MANCHESTER CITY are closing in on Elliot Anderson – with Patrick Vieira convinced they will be getting a ‘complete midfielder’.
The Etihad giants have seen two bids knocked back for the Nottingham Forest ace – the most recent one worth over £120 million.
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Elliot Anderson is braced to complete a £130million move to Manchester City Credit: Getty
The England man could undergo a medical in the US while on World Cup duty Credit: Reuters
Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis is holding out for around £130 million and is hoping for a bigger chunk of the money up front.
However there is an acceptance at the City Ground that a deal is going to happen and it is believed the two clubs are not far from an agreement.
Once they have the green light, City will look to carry out a medical in the US as he is currently starring in the World Cup with England.
Arsenal legend Vieira – who played for City and then worked for the City Football Group in various roles – has been hugely impressed of what he has seen.
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The ex-France international felt Anderson was the stand out player as the Three Lions began their World Cup campaign with an impressive win over Croatia.
He said: “Anderson is always trying to play forward and he’s trying to break the lines, and tried to find the players in between the lines.
“That is something really special, and I think he’s quite a really complete midfielder.”
“Against Croatia, he had everything that I like about the holding midfielder because he is really aggressive, and he’s a ball winner.”
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Speaking on The Rest is Football, Vieira added: “He dictated the game, but even in possession, he’s not hiding.
“He’s trying to find the space and he wants the ball.”
City also have an interest in Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali but much will depend on whether Rodri is planning to extend his contract at the Etihad.
Tottenham are believed to be leading the race for the Italy international but City are not ruling out a move.
Rodri’s Etihad future remains in doubt Credit: PA
Ex-City and Arsenal man Patrick Vieira has hailed the imminent signing Credit: Getty
And their hand could be forced if former Ballon D’Or winner Rodri – who has one year left on his deal – decides to move back to Spain.
However Anderson has been lined up regardless as the replacement for skipper Bernardo Silva, who left the Etihad after nine years in the summer.
Neighbours Manchester United were also keen on the former Newcastle man but backed off when they heard the figures involved.
A Prem record fee is likely to be needed – more than the £125 million Liverpool paid for Alexander Isak last summer.
But in any case, it became clear that the Forest midfielder had set his heart on a move to City – despite the departure of boss Pep Guardiola.
Red Devils captain Harry Maguire admitted earlier this week he was surprised at just how good Anderson is when he trained with him with England in March.
The veteran centre back said: “I’ve heard there are many clubs abroad after him as well.
“I was not in the England squad for 12 months, and I was interested to go in in March and just see there were 10, 15 new players who I hadn’t played with.
“And I knew he was a good player, and in training, he impressed me even more than I thought. He’s got absolutely everything.
“He’s playing number six at the minute, but he’s one of those, I think he could play 10, eight or six. He’s that good.”
