Exclusive: West Ham Plot Big-Money Move for Forest’s Elliot Anderson Under Nuno

Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson is set to emerge as a surprise target for West Ham following Nuno Espirito Santo’s move to east London, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal.

The Portuguese was appointed as Graham Potter’s successor last weekend, less than a month after his surprise departure from the City Ground following the deterioration of his relationship with owner Evangelos Marinakis.

With The Hammers floundering in the relegation zone following a miserable start to the season, Nuno is expected to focus on making them hard to beat during the first phase of his reign after conceding 17 goals during their first six games this term.

And, according to sources, that has prompted him to recommend Anderson as one of several Forest players he would be interested in working with again after making the switch to the capital.

Aged 22 and not set to turn 23 until November, the former Newcastle United midfielder emerged as a key figure at the City Ground under Nuno, as he led the two-time European champions to seventh in the Premier League table.

MASSIVE RESPECT

Anderson has started seven times for Forest so far this term but, such is his respect for the new Hammer boss, could be tempted to link-up with him again if his employers continue to struggle under Ange Postecoglou.

However, Nuno’s attempts to link-up with Anderson again could be complicated by Marinakis’ notoriously hardline stance when it comes to selling talent. 

With the pair falling out following Edu’s appointment as Forest’s head of global football, Marinakis is unlikely to make it easy for Nuno to plunder Forest and will demand top dollar for anyone linked with a switch to The Hammers when the transfer window reopens in January.

Born in Whitley Bay, Anderson turned professional with United and made 44 league appearances there before joining Forest last year.

Despite being capped by Scotland at youth and under-21 level, he now represents England after making his senior international debut against Andorra in September.