^ ^ Alan Shearer backs Liverpool to sign £86m Arsenal and Chelsea target

Premier League legend and ex-England striker Alan Shearer (Picture: YouTube)

Alan Shearer has backed Andoni Iraola to raid former club Bournemouth for two players following his appointment at Liverpool.

Iraola, 43, emerged as Liverpool’s top managerial target after Anfield bosses decided to sack Arne Slot last month.

Liverpool looked set to stick by title-winning boss Slot despite a difficult campaign but opted for a change in the dugout after an end-of-season review.

Iraola enjoyed three strong years at Bournemouth after a dismal start to his tenure, leading the Cherries into Europe last season courtesy of an impressive sixth-place finish.

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Liverpool spent almost £500m on new players last summer but Iraola is believed to want to bolster his squad even further during the upcoming window and bring in some of his own signings.

Shearer believes he could immediately raid his former club Bournemouth and beat Arsenal and Chelsea to Eli Junior Kroupi and also sign Alex Scott ahead of Manchester United.

Kroupi has attracted interest from Premier League champions Arsenal and their London rivals Chelsea after a superb season in which he scored 13 goals.

New Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola (Picture: Getty)

It was reported last week that Bournemouth’s initial asking price for Kroupi would be around 100m euros (£86m).

The Cherries have reportedly slapped a similar asking price on 22-year-old Scott, who Manchester United have been linked with as they look to bolster Michael Carrick’s options in midfield.

‘I can see Bournemouth players following Andoni Iraola to Liverpool,’ Premier League record goalscorer and ex-England striker Shearer told Betfair.

Arsenal and Chelsea transfer target Eli Junior Kroupi (Picture: Getty)

‘I totally understand why bigger clubs will be looking at their players because of their outstanding performances, particularly last season, though I guess Bournemouth fans will hate to hear this.

‘We’ve said it many times and we’ll say it again: their recruitment at Bournemouth has been off the charts, so it is no surprise some of their players are being linked with big football clubs.

‘That’s a great credit to them for the job they’ve done in getting those players there.

Bournemouth star and Man Utd target Alex Scott (Picture: Getty)

‘I said months ago that the two players I would pick out of that team would be Kroupi Junior and Alex Scott.

‘I think they’ve been absolutely outstanding this season for Bournemouth, so it wouldn’t be a surprise to me at all if they were to go this summer.’

Rating Liverpool’s appointment of Iraola, Shearer added: ‘Judging by Iraola’s performance at Bournemouth and the job he’s done there, it looks a good appointment.

Liverpool sacked title-winning boss Arne Slot (Picture: Getty)

‘But you’re going a million miles up from Bournemouth to Liverpool in terms of the size of the football club.

‘Liverpool is one of, if not the biggest club in the world in terms of scrutiny, how you have to play, and what you have to achieve.

‘That’s always a gamble for someone who has not managed at that level. But he also has to be backed, and he deserves the opportunity because he’s been absolutely outstanding at Bournemouth.

‘Their recruitment has been on another level, and their performances, particularly this season, but other seasons too, have been absolutely superb.

‘He deserves a shot at a big job, and this is one of, if not the biggest. It’ll be fascinating to see how he gets on. I’m not surprised they’ve chosen to go for him because of what he’s achieved at Bournemouth.

‘Does he deserve an opportunity at a bigger club? Absolutely, yes. It’ll be fascinating to see how it goes, but I’m really pleased for him because the job he’s done at Bournemouth has been incredible.’

Iraola has spells in charge of Spanish sides Rayo Vallecano and Mirandes and Cypriot outfit AEK Larnaca before his impressive stint at Bournemouth.

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^ ^ Micah Richards urges Thomas Tuchel not to drop England’s ‘best player’ at the World Cup

Former England defender Micah Richards (Picture: YouTube)

Micah Richards has urged Thomas Tuchel to start Jude Bellingham at the World Cup, insisting he is the ‘best player’ in the England squad.

Bellingham appears to be competing with Morgan Rogers for a starting place in the Three Lions team, which is bidding to win their first World Cup in 60 years.

The Real Madrid midfielder was one of England’s best players at Euro 2024, most memorably scoring an injury-time overhead kick to save Sir Gareth Southgate’s side from an embarrassing exit at the hands of Slovakia.

Bellingham impressed during his first two seasons at the Bernabeu following a high-profile move from Borussia Dortmund, winning a stunning La Liga and Champions League double under Carlo Ancelotti.

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But the 22-year-old struggled with form and fitness last season, scoring just six league goals – his lowest return since the 2021-22 campaign.

Bellingham did, though, look somewhere near back to his best in England’s final World Cup warm-up game against Costa Rica on Wednesday night.

Rogers, in contrast, enjoyed another impressive season at Aston Villa as Unai Emery’s side qualified for the Champions League and won the Europa League.

Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham (Picture: Getty)

The 23-year-old is expected to be a key member of Tuchel’s squad out in the United States and has emerged as a summer target for Premier League giants Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea.

England legend Alan Shearer says he would pick Rogers over Bellingham if he was in Tuchel’s shoes but ex-Three Lions defender Richards passionately disagrees.

‘I would go with Morgan Rogers,’ Shearer said on The Rest is Football. ‘We’re going into a World Cup and we’re all pretty optimistic about how it’s going to go.

England boss Thomas Tuchel has a big decision to make (Picture: Getty)

‘We’re pretty happy with how England have gone lately and Morgan Rogers has played a huge part in that. That’s why I think the manager will go with him and I’m more than happy if that is his decision.’

Responding to Shearer’s comments, Richards said: ‘In terms of big moments, Jude Bellingham – Real Madrid, Champions League winner – when England were down in other tournaments, he’s been the guy.

‘He’s had the personality to step up in big moments. I understand the point about Morgan Rogers and I could potentially see both of them in the team at times.

Morgan Rogers enjoyed a fine season for Aston Villa (Picture: Getty)

‘But as the main No. 10, there’s no doubt for me that it should be Jude Bellingham. You’ve got to put Jude in the team.

‘This is what frustrates me, we’ve got a genuine superstar in Jude Bellingham…it shouldn’t even be a debate.

‘He’s the best player and he has to start. He’s delivered, he’s delivered at the highest level so he has to start.’

Former England striker Gary Lineker added: ‘I would go with Micah on this one.

‘Just because I think Jude is a genuine superstar, and to win World Cups, I think you need someone that’s going to make a massive difference.’

England came desperately close to winning a major trophy under former manager Sir Gareth Southgate, reaching back-to-back European Championship finals and going deep in two World Cups.

They have been installed as one of the favourites to win this World Cup but Roy Keane doubts they will end 60 years of hurt.

England are preparing for the World Cup in America (Picture: Getty)

‘England have got a lot of good players,’ the former Manchester United captain told Sky Bet’s The Overlap.

‘No doubt getting out of the group should be straightforward for them, you think they’ll compete if everything falls into place. Do I see England winning the World Cup? Absolutely not.

‘When I looked at the squad, and particularly defensively, I’m not convinced.

‘I just don’t see it come a crunch game in the quarter, the semi-finals, whether they’re chasing the game or defending it. It’s the centre halves that would be worrying me.’

Turning his attentions to his World Cup favourites, Keane added: ‘Over the last few days, I’ve been open-minded about Brazil and Spain because both have tremendous quality, but if I had to choose one team I’d go with France.

‘They have outstanding individual players throughout the squad. Of course, talent alone isn’t enough.

‘The manager still has to get everyone pulling in the same direction and working collectively. That’s often the biggest challenge with top international teams.

‘But I think France have one of the best managers when it comes to handling that balance, and because of their quality and experience I’d probably make them favourites.’

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^ ^ Man Utd and England legend Gary Neville praises ‘unbelievable’ World Cup rule change

Former Man Utd and England defender Gary Neville (Picture: YouTube)

Gary Neville has praised FIFA over a number of rule changes for the World Cup and says the ‘pretty good introductions’ will benefit fans.

The 2026 World Cup kicks off on Thursday evening with co-hosts Mexico taking on South Africa.

The main hosts, USA, play their World Cup opener in the early hours of Saturday morning, while reigning champions Argentina begin their defence on Wednesday.

Like Argentina, England have also been tipped to go deep ahead of their opening game against Croatia on Wednesday night.

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FIFA have brought in several new rules ahead of the World Cup which teams, players and managers will need to adhere to.

Manchester United legend and ex-England defender Neville is supportive of several of the new introductions and described the ’10-second substitution’ rule as ‘unbelievable’.

FIFA announced prior to the tournament that subbed players ‘must leave the pitch at the nearest point of exit, and within 10 seconds’.

The 2026 World Cup starts on Thursday (Picture: Getty)

Failing to comply with that time limit will mean the player coming on will have to wait a full minute before they can then enter the field of play.

Japan benefitted from the new ruling in a World Cup warm-up match on Sunday, scoring a second-half winner when Iceland were down to ten men as a substitute was forced to wait to come on.

‘I think this is an unbelievable introduction – time-limited substitutions,’ Neville said on The Overlap. ‘I love that.

FIFA's 2026 World Cup rule changes

VAR changes

• VAR can intervene on incorrectly awarded corner kicks
• VAR can intervene on fouls that occurred before play has started (players wrestling in the box before a corner is taken)
• VAR can intervene if a second yellow card leads to a red

Players covering their mouths

• Players cannot cover their mouths during confrontational situations with players or officials

Players who leave the pitch

• Any player who leaves the field of play in protest over a decision will be shown a red card

10-second substitutions

• Players must leave the field within 10 seconds – if not the player replacing them cannot enter the field of play for one full minute

VAR will work a little differently at the World Cup (Picture: Getty)

Hydration breaks

• Each game to have one three-minute hydration break per half

Five-second restart

• Five-second countdown for goal-kicks and throw-ins

No tactical timeouts for goalkeeper injuries

• Players are not permitted to receive instructions from managers on the sidelines when a goalkeeper receives treatment for an injury

Injured players leaving the pitch

• An outfield player who is treated by medical staff must leave the pitch for one minute (exceptions apply)

‘It’s so annoying watching players walk off slowly. The players and teams are gaming the system.

‘You can criticise FIFA for many things but I do think they get their referee stuff right. I think those are pretty good introductions and will make the game better for the fans.’

Neville also backed the introduction of the ‘five-second restart’ which says possession will be reversed if a player is deemed to be time-wasting from a goal-kick or throw-in.

‘We’ve got some rule changes coming in for the World Cup,’ Neville added. ‘I’m massively up for the throw-in counter.

‘The amount of time that is taken in the Premier League… I’ve lost count of how many times we mentioned that last season. So I like that one.

‘What we’ve witnessed over the past 12 months is teams stopping the game for a minute to prepare for set-pieces.

England are aiming to win their second World Cup (Picture: Getty)

‘I’m talking about League Two games as well as the Premier League, the ball is out of play for so long. I think it’s a good introduction.’

Neville also outlined new rules preventing players from covering their mouths during ‘confrontational situations’ with opponents or officials.

Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni covered his mouth during an altercation with Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior during a Champions League game earlier in the season.

Brazil forward Vinicius accused Prestianni or racially abusing him but the Argentina winger denied the claims.

‘That’s a good rule,’ ex-Arsenal and England striker Ian Wright said. ‘You can’t prove things if players are covering their mouths, I think that’s a good one. I quite like that, that’s good for me.’

While the panel were largely supporting of FIFA’s new World Cup rules, Roy Keane questioned how they would play out during a tournament in which the heat is expected to be an issue for players.

‘Some of the rules are about the speed of play but it’s strange they’ve brought them in now when we’re talking about the conditions being so tough for the players,’ Keane said.

‘If ever players will want to slow the game down it will be now given the heat in some of these venues.’

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^ ^ England already have major World Cup injury worry over Arsenal star

Thomas Tuchel has outlined concerns over the fitness of Bukayo Saka (Credits: Bradley Collyer/PA Wire)

Thomas Tuchel says England have to be careful with Bukayo Saka ahead of the World Cup as the Arsenal winger continues to build his way back from an Achilles issue.

The 24-year-old linked up with the national team in Florida on Saturday along with team-mates Declan Rice, Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze after the quartet were given time off after the Champions League final.

Saka began the shootout loss to Paris St Germain but has only started five matches for Premier League winners Arsenal since withdrawing from England’s March meet-up with an Achilles injury.

The forward’s fitness is a consideration for Tuchel, whose side face Costa Rica in a warm-up friendly in Orlando on Wednesday before taking on Miami FC the following day behind closed doors.

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‘We still have to take care a little bit about Bukayo, who had an injury in the March camp and carried it through, of course, into his club campaign,’ Tuchel said.

‘He was available and made himself available in the end of the season, and did this brilliantly, but he was managed in between matches and that continues a little bit at the very moment, so we’re building him up.

‘Noni is 100 per cent available, Declan is 100 per cent available and Ebs as well.’

Bukayo Saka has linked up with his England teammates following his Arsenal Champions League final exploits (Picture: Getty)

Tuchel confirmed Saka has yet to do ‘consecutive training’ sessions since joining up with England and vowed to manage him sensibly.

‘They decided together, Bukayo and Arsenal, to let him play through his pain and discomfort, even if it was not possible to train the whole week in the build ups,’ the German coach said.

‘He was decisive in the second leg against Atletico to bring them to the final, he played the final. But like I said, he was managed in between, and this is what we do.

‘The player and his needs and health are always first, so what we are doing now, we were monitoring on his week off and now we are bringing him back on the pitch.

Declan Rice has been declared 100 per cent fit by Thomas Tuchel (Picture: Getty)

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‘Yesterday, he was not with us, today he was and did the full training session. He is available for tomorrow, but he needs management to be fully, fully 100 per cent, which he is not. But he is on a high level.’

Tuchel confirmed Rice as England’s vice-captain over the weekend and says the Arsenal players are in a ‘very good spirit’ and ‘very good shape’ after the painful Champions League final defeat to PSG.

‘I feel them proud, I feel them confident,’ the manager said. ‘They know what they did, they know what it took them to win the title in England.

‘They had this little period where suddenly it was in doubt and they overcame it and managed to win the title.

‘It meant a lot to them and I think they have a clear understanding that they go toe to toe the best team in the world at the moment with Paris, and they had them, and they just lost in a penalty shootout. They came in best spirits and I’m happy for that.’

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^ ^ Kai Havertz gives brutal response to fan asking him to leave Arsenal and rejoin Chelsea

Kai Havertz is likely to form a key part of Germany’s World Cup plans (Picture: X)

Kai Havertz crushed the dreams of one young Chelsea fan after he was asked to consider rejoining his former club from Arsenal this summer.

Eyebrows were raised when Mikel Arteta chose to invest so heavily in a player who never quite lived up to his billing during three tumultuous years at Stamford Bridge.

While it is true to say the course of his Arsenal career hasn’t always run smoothly, the versatile Germany international has established himself as one of Arteta’s most trusted players.

Having struggled to adapt to the midfield role he was initially earmarked for upon his arrival at Arsenal, Havertz has proven his worth in his more natural centre forward role.

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The arrival of Viktor Gyokeres last summer threatened to push Havertz down the pecking order and a succession of injuries meant he was unable to make an impact until the second half of the campaign.

Although Gyokeres ended his first season in north London as Arsenal’s top goalscorer, it was Havertz who remained Arteta’s go-to striker for the big occasion.

Goals in the win over Burnley which effectively helped seal the title and his stunning strike in the Champions League final, albeit in a losing cause, underlined his importance to the Gunners’ machine.

Kai Havertz and Germany begin their World Cup campaign against Curacao on Sunday (Credits: Reuters)

Chelsea, meanwhile, are a shadow of the side that Havertz left in the summer of 2023 and are about to embark on life under a fourth permanent manager since his departure in the shape of Xabi Alonso.

Adding a new striker to the ranks is likely to be a priority for the former Liverpool midfielder with Joao Pedro having been targeted by Barcelona and Liam Delap likely to be deemed surplus to requirements after failing to make the grade following his move from Ipswich.

A return to Stamford Bridge for Havertz is, of course, out of the question but it didn’t stop one young fan making an ambitious request as the Arsenal star signed autographs at Germany’s World Cup training base.

‘You wish, you wish,’ said Havertz when asked if he would consider leaving Arteta’s Arsenal to be part of Alonso’s rebuilding project.

American fan: “Kai Havertz go back to Chelsea!”

Kai Havertz “You wish, you wish.” 🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/81puGoLL0m

— now.arsenal (@now_arsenaI) June 9, 2026

Despite his standing at Arsenal, it would be no surprise to see the English champions invest in their forward line again during the transfer window and provide Havertz with fresh competition.

Julian Alvarez has been heavily linked with a return to the Premier League but the Atletico Madrid forward was the subject of a bid from Real Madrid on Tuesday.

The Argentina international, 26, has scored 49 goals in 106 appearances for Atletico since joining from Manchester City in 2024.

Alvarez, whose contract runs until 2030, reportedly wants to leave Diego Simeone’s side this summer and has been linked with Arsenal and Barcelona.

Speaking before he was re-elected Madrid’s president, Florentino Perez vowed to submit a club-record offer for an unnamed ‘great player’ this week.

Real Madrid have submitted a club-record offer to sign Julian Alvarez (NurPhoto via Getty)

A statement released by Real on Tuesday read: ‘Real Madrid CF announces that, following the meeting of the board of directors held today, it has made an offer of 150 million euros to Club Atletico de Madrid for the federative rights of the player Julian Alvarez.

‘After reviewing and evaluating the offer, Club Atletico de Madrid has expressed its gratitude for the proposal, made within the framework of the good relations between both clubs, and has rejected it, referring to the player’s release clause.’

Alvarez, who is preparing for Argentina’s World Cup defence, registered 20 goals in 49 matches for Atletico this season, with 10 coming in the Champions League.

Atletico Madrid response to Real Madrid’s rejected bid for Julian Alvarez

Atletico later said they were “neither considering nor evaluating any offers” for Alvarez.

A series of posts on the Rojiblancos’ X account began with five laughing emojis in response to Real’s statement.

‘You may have mistaken politeness for gratitude, but just to be clear: we are not thanking you for anything,’ Atletico posted.

‘We are neither considering nor evaluating any offers for Julian. How could we not get along, when you make us laugh even more than @FCBarcelona?’

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^ ^ Arsenal make transfer decision as Jose Mourinho tells Real Madrid to sign £42m star

Jose Mourinho is set to return to Real Madrid (Picture: Getty)

Jose Mourinho has ‘approved’ a move for Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori as he prepares to take over at Real Madrid, according to reports in Spain.

Florentino Perez’s re-election as Real’s club president has cleared the way for Mourinho to make a stunning return to the Bernabeu.

Mourinho signed a three-year contract with Real Madrid last month but the deal would only be activated if Perez retained his role at the top of the club.

During his first spell in charge of Real Madrid between 2010 and 2013, Mourinho won La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup.

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The legendary Portuguese manager leaves his role at Benfica after just one season and replaces Alvaro Arbeloa, who has been in charge of Real Madrid since Xabi Alonso’s departure in January.

Mourinho has already made it clear to his bosses at the Bernabeu that he wants to significantly strengthen his Madrid squad this summer.

As a result Real Madrid are lining up a sensational move for Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise and are keeping tabs on West Ham’s Matheus Fernandes.

Riccardo Calafiori helped Arsenal win the Premier League (Picture: Getty)

Mourinho also wants to bolster his defensive options and has ‘approved’ moves for Arsenal’s Calafiori and Manchester City’s Josko Gvardiol.

Spanish outlet AS say Mourinho is particularly keen for one of Calafiori or Gvardiol to join as both have experience playing centre-back as well as on the left.

Arsenal beat London rivals Chelsea to a £42m deal for Calafiori shortly after Euro 2024 and the Italian helped Mikel Arteta’s side win the Premier League and reach the Champions League final last season.

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez (Picture: Getty)

Calafiori was Arteta’s first-choice left-back last term, with the 24-year-old keeping Myles Lewis-Skelly out of the team and forcing the England international back into midfield.

Arsenal are aware of interest from Mourinho and Real Madrid but, according to Football London, have ‘no intention’ of selling Calafiori this summer.

The former Bologna star still has three years left on his current contract so Arsenal feel under ‘no pressure’ to sell during the upcoming transfer window.

Manchester City defender Josko Gvardiol (Picture: Getty)

Speaking before Arsenal lost the Champions League final to PSG, Calafiori said he had ‘unfinished business’ at boyhood club Roma but was ‘happy’ at Arsenal.

‘I’m happy here now, but I’ve left some unfinished business with Roma,’ he told Italian outlet Corriere della Sera.

‘I barely played for that team when I was very young. I’d like to return. Not right away, but sooner or later.’

If Real Madrid are rebuffed by Arsenal, they may turn their attentions to Gvardiol, who completed a £77m move to Manchester City in 2023.

Mikel Arteta brought Calafiori to Arsenal (Picture: Getty)

Mourinho also appreciates the City defender and it is claimed Gvardiol is ‘attracted’ to the idea of moving to the Bernabeu and working under one of the most successful managers of the modern era.

But Real Madrid still reportedly view Calafiori as a more ‘realistic’ option and a cheaper target than Gvardiol.

Madrid’s transfer business will fully ignite once Mourinho officially takes over, which will be imminently following Perez’s re-election.

‘We have won the elections and will continue working to keep winning titles,’ Perez said. ‘I am still here and I am here to defend Real Madrid.

‘We will continue working so that Real Madrid keeps winning titles, and we will fight until the end to achieve the 16th European Cup.

‘We will continue to take pride in the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, the best stadium in the world.

‘Proud to have the best players in the world, proud to welcome back one of the best coaches in the world, a Madridista like Jose Mourinho.’

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^ ^ Manchester United board confident of signing £100m star after Ederson transfer

Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe (Picture: Getty)

Manchester United executives are ‘optimistic’ they will beat Manchester City to a stunning deal for England midfielder Elliot Anderson, according to reports.

Anderson is currently preparing for the World Cup and is expected to be a key player in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad.

The 23-year-old is coming off the back of another superb season for Nottingham Forest in which he helped the club secure their Premier League status and go deep in the Europa League.

Anderson’s form has caught the eye of a number of clubs and Manchester City were believed to be favourites to secure his signature this summer.

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Man City identified Anderson as their top summer target and are lining up a second offer for the Forest star after seeing their initial £80m bid rejected.

Etihad bosses expect to win the race for Anderson but The Guardian say Manchester United are optimistic of hijacking the deal and bringing him to Old Trafford.

It is claimed United believe Anderson is yet to make the final decision over his future and are confident he can still be persuaded to choose the red half of Manchester.

England’s Elliot Anderson is preparing for the World Cup (Picture: Getty)

The Red Devils have made Brazil midfielder Ederson their first signing of the summer in a £35m deal with Italian side Atalanta.

But Michael Carrick, who was appointed as United’s permanent head coach last month, wants at least one more midfielder to arrive through the doors as Casemiro has left and Manuel Ugarte could be sold.

Manchester United have expressed interest in West Ham’s Matheus Fernandes, Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali, Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton and Brighton’s Carlos Baleba but Anderson appears to be their top target.

Manchester United boss Michael Carrick (Picture: Getty)

Anderson signed a five-year contract with Nottingham Forest when they spent £35m to sign him from Newcastle United in 2024.

Last week ex-Manchester City defender Micah Richards claimed his former club had the edge over Manchester United in the race to sign Anderson.

In an exclusive interview with Metro, he said: ‘I can’t speak highly enough of Pep and what he achieved but what City have done is build an environment where the top players still want to head to Manchester City regardless of who the manager is.

Incoming Man Utd signing Ederson (Picture: Getty)

‘That’s a compliment to the club. When Pep was there, four titles in a row, the treble, winning the Champions League… yes they had one of the best managers of all-time having a massive say in all that success.

‘However, the infrastructure is there for the players and you would choose Manchester City over anywhere else. And that’s not to disrespect any other club.

‘It’s just other clubs are still finding out where they are going to be. Looking through the squad, Abdukodir Khusanov, Marc Guehi, Rodri, Rayan Cherki, Phil Foden, Erling Haaland.

Anderson has been a revelation for Nottingham Forest (Picture: Getty)

‘If you are hedging your bets, you want to be playing with that calibre of player where you know even if you don’t win a trophy, you are always going to be challenging for a trophy.

‘And City have built that environment and that is always going to be there and be in a player’s mind. Going to Man United is still a massive draw, Liverpool as well with their history.

‘Everyone has certain things they want when it comes to choosing a club. Some grew up Liverpool fans, some grew up Man United fans. But many will be thinking what is the best possible move for my career.’

Discussing Man City’s interest in Anderson, Richards added: ‘He’s my No. 1 pick. It depends on what the cost is but he can do so many things.

‘He can sit there as a No. 6 but I think his best position is a No. 8. I think he is much more than a water carrier, he’s so good on the ball and he can drive forward.

‘I think he would be absolutely perfect for Man City. His football intelligence is off the scale. I think he’s ready.

‘If he did become available and the rumours are correct, Man City for sure should sign him. There’s no question over him fitting in. He would be perfect for any team in the Premier League.’

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