adminNottingham Forest are embarking on a fresh era as Oliver Glasner takes charge at the City Ground, arriving on the back of consecutive title-winning campaigns with Crystal Palace.
Could this mark the dawn of a golden period for Forest? It’s too early to say, but Glasner’s résumé is impressive—he also guided Eintracht Frankfurt to Europa League glory in 2022, defeating Rangers on penalties.
Yet the Austrian faces an immediate challenge, with Elliot Anderson departing for Manchester City in a record £116 million deal.
How Glasner plans to replace Elliot Anderson
England manager Thomas Tuchel recently called Anderson “one of the Premier League’s best midfielders,” and the 23-year-old’s blockbuster move to City only confirms that status.
It’s been just two years since Anderson left his boyhood club Newcastle for Forest in a £35 million transfer—a decision Newcastle must now regret, as PSR constraints forced them to part with a player who has blossomed into a star.
Anderson propelled Nuno Espírito Santo’s side into European competition and proved pivotal during last season’s rough patches. As a duel-winning presence in midfield, he was instrumental in stabilising the team and steering them clear of a relegation scrap.
Losing him stings and will for a while, but with a new era dawning, Glasner may already be eyeing Forest’s next version of the England international.
The next Anderson is keen on joining Forest
Ibrahim Sangaré has penned a new deal with Forest, while Glasner has been reunited with Xaver Schlager, who arrived on a free transfer. But the manager wants more.
According to The Telegraph, Swedish international Lucas Bergvall tops his wishlist. The 20-year-old is eager to leave Tottenham this summer and has signalled his interest in a move to Nottingham.
Spurs are asking £60 million for Bergvall, who is also attracting Newcastle’s attention, though they may need to reduce their price given the youngster has yet to cement a regular starting role in two full Premier League seasons.
Bergvall is a stylish, progressive midfielder with graceful footwork. He’s not the finished article—but neither was Anderson when Newcastle took a gamble on him, and that bet paid off handsomely.
Bergvall isn’t a like-for-like replacement. He’s more silky and forward-thinking, but lacks Anderson’s physicality and duel-winning dominance.
That makes Schlager’s arrival all the more crucial—the 28-year-old Austrian, a Glasner favourite, brings intelligence and balance.
As for Bergvall, he’s his own player; despite a turbulent spell at Spurs, he’s shown quality, winning silverware and building resilience through difficult moments.
When Anderson broke through at Newcastle in 2023/24, he showed promise but was far from the complete player he is today—now a key figure for club and country, and the second-most-expensive British player in history.
It’s also worth noting Anderson thrived during a high point at St. James’ Park, whereas Bergvall has been thrown into a struggling Spurs side.
Glasner could be the one to mould him into a star. Forest have already made shrewd midfield moves this summer, but landing Bergvall would be the statement signing to propel them back towards the top.
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