Manchester City have made their move. According to renowned transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, the Premier League champions have opened initial negotiations with the representatives of Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson over a potential summer switch to the Etihad.

The 23-year-old England international has reportedly been City's primary midfield target for several months, identified as a key piece in their anticipated summer rebuild. With club captain Bernardo Silva set to depart upon the expiry of his contract and ongoing uncertainty surrounding Rodri's future, bolstering the engine room is a clear priority for director of football Hugo Viana.

Anderson, who enjoyed another impressive season at the City Ground, is viewed as one of the league's most complete young midfield talents. His potential arrival would represent a significant coup, with City believed to be confident they can fend off rival interest, including from Manchester United, to secure his signature.

However, Romano stresses that while talks with the player's camp are underway, no agreement has been reached with Nottingham Forest. City are said to be taking a respectful and measured approach in their dealings with Forest, a hallmark of their transfer strategy under Viana. The club is keen to navigate the process professionally without applying undue public pressure on the selling club, indicating this could be a negotiation that develops steadily over the coming weeks.

With a major summer tournament on the horizon, City will be eager to make progress on what could be one of the window's defining midfield transfers.