Some transfer pursuits go beyond the manager.
Beyond whoever happens to be sitting in the dugout at a given moment.
They become institutional.
That’s precisely where Manchester City now stand.
And even the imminent departure of Pep Guardiola won’t change it.
Enzo Maresca confident of signing Elliot Anderson as his first transfer
According to Flashscore, Manchester City insiders remain convinced the club are in a strong position to win the race for Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson, with growing confidence behind the scenes that the England midfielder is still destined for the Etihad regardless of the managerial situation.
Anderson is valued at around £100 million.
But Manchester City have held a long-standing belief that they would ultimately beat their rivals to his signature.
That belief hasn’t wavered.
Enzo Maresca has virtually been named as Pep Guardiola’s successor.
Someone who worked within Manchester City’s coaching structure under Guardiola before managing Leicester City and then Chelsea.
But the Anderson pursuit predates whatever happens in the dugout.
However, sources point to a telling precedent.
Marc Guehi and Antoine Semenyo were brought to the Etihad without any guarantee Guardiola would remain in charge this season.
And Manchester City have always operated at a level where the club’s pull transcends any individual manager.
Anderson, they believe, is exactly the same situation.
Yet, Manchester City see him as a player capable of being a major figure for both club and country.
And the World Cup this summer will only raise his profile further if he’s selected.
The saga has been building steadily.
But with the season ending and the window approaching, everything is about to accelerate quickly.
And the Etihad, with Enzo Maresca at the helm, will believe that they’ll be the ones who get it done.
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