As the Premier League season charges ahead into its autumn stretch, the football rumor mill is in full swing, and transfer speculation is heating up around some of England’s brightest young talents. Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson, Toulouse’s Charlie Cresswell, and Tottenham’s Alfie Devine—currently on loan at Preston North End—are all making headlines for their performances on the pitch and the interest they’re generating off it.
Let’s start at the City Ground, where Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson has become the talk of the town—and, quite frankly, the entire league. The 22-year-old midfielder, who joined Forest from Newcastle United just last year in a £35 million move, has quickly emerged as one of the most sought-after talents in English football. Anderson’s stock has soared after a stellar summer in which he played a pivotal role in England’s Under-21 European Championship triumph and has since earned four senior caps with the Three Lions. If that’s not enough, he’s already being touted as a possible starter for England at next summer’s World Cup.
The buzz around Anderson is not just media hype. According to reports from The Mirror and Metro, three of the Premier League’s giants—Manchester United, Chelsea, and Manchester City—are all circling, eager to secure his signature. Nottingham Forest, however, are playing hardball. The club has slapped a hefty £75 million price tag on their prized asset, and with Anderson tied down to a five-year contract running until 2029, Forest are in no rush to sell. Yet, with such heavyweight interest, it feels almost inevitable that the midfielder could be on the move before long.
Anderson’s form speaks for itself. Since arriving at Forest, he’s made 89 Premier League appearances, notching up 2 goals and 10 assists. Those numbers may not leap off the page, but it’s his all-action style, versatility, and tactical intelligence that have caught the eye of both club and country managers. England boss Thomas Tuchel was effusive in his praise after Anderson’s performance in a recent 2-0 win over Andorra, saying, “He’s just a very, very good football player. He has the physicality, he’s very mobile at No 6. He has the body, he loves to defend, he loves to put his body inside to duels. He loves passing, he loves to break the lines, he’s very mobile in this game. It was a pleasure to see.”
Tuchel’s comments didn’t stop there. “I think the team around him made it as easy as possible for him and he had a very strong performance. I think he showed today that he adapts to the situation. Can he show what he showed in training? Can he show what he showed with Nottingham and the under-21s? He played with a lot of freedom. He was very quickly in the flow. I think he has the physicality and he has the mindset to play in more difficult games.” High praise indeed, and a clear indication that Anderson’s international future looks as bright as his club prospects.
Despite the speculation, Anderson remains focused on his development. In a summer interview with The Telegraph, he set clear goals for the season ahead: “My biggest aim this season is to add some numbers [goals and assists] to my performances, that will probably take me to the next level.” With his ambition and the attention of Europe’s elite, Anderson is certainly one to watch as the January window approaches.
It’s not just at Nottingham Forest where transfer intrigue is brewing. Over at Everton, manager David Moyes is already laying the groundwork for potential January business. With defensive stalwart Jarrad Branthwaite sidelined by injury—and expected to attract significant interest in 2026—Everton are keeping their eyes peeled for reinforcements. One name at the top of their list? Toulouse’s Charlie Cresswell.
Cresswell, a 22-year-old defender who moved to Toulouse from Leeds United in 2024, has been turning heads in Ligue 1. He recently scored in a commanding 4-0 win over Metz, further cementing his reputation as a rising talent. Moyes’s interest in Cresswell isn’t just based on form; there’s a personal connection at play. The Everton boss once signed Cresswell’s father, Richard, during his time at Preston North End. That bit of footballing history could prove crucial, as Richard now serves as Charlie’s agent and will play a key role in any future negotiations.
Everton’s defensive options are solid, with James Tarkowski, Michael Keane, and Jake O’Brien all in the mix, but the club is planning for the future. Cresswell’s Premier League experience, combined with his recent performances in France, make him an attractive target. With his father’s close ties to Moyes, Everton may have an edge in the race to bring Cresswell back to England—though competition is sure to be fierce.
Meanwhile, in the Championship, Tottenham’s Alfie Devine is making the most of his loan spell at Preston North End. The 21-year-old attacking midfielder, fresh off a season with Belgian side Westerlo where he scored six goals in 30 league appearances, has hit the ground running in Lancashire. So far, Devine has contributed two goals and two assists in 12 appearances across all competitions, helping Preston climb to 10th place in the table.
Preston boss Paul Heckingbottom is bullish about Devine’s potential. “Yeah, my aim is to try and get Alfie (Devine) in that as well this season,” Heckingbottom told the Lancashire Post, referring to an England Under-21 call-up. “I think it’s great recognition and something that Thierry [Small] can be proud of. But it is a stepping stone, is it not? You cannot be satisfied with a stepping stone. But yeah, it is good. He went away in the first one; feedback was good. He did not get minutes but they called him up again, so you know then the feedback was truthful and they were happy with him. Then, he gets some minutes in the first game (this time) which is great, so his job is to try and sustain that.”
Heckingbottom knows the challenge ahead for Devine, especially with the quality of players competing for England’s Under-21 squad. “The 21s are totally different from the other age groups. It is serious. It is under-21s, but it is under-21 at the start of each cycle and campaign. So you are actually playing with 23, 24-year-olds who are the best in the country. It is a big achievement to get in that squad. Thierry has openly said it and we have lots of players who have ambitions to be performing in the Premier League. The majority there are in the Premier League, so you get an eye-opener as to the talent that the players have. One or two will have the mentality as well and already be performing at the top. That recognition is a really big motivator for you to keep going and drive on and try and get more.”
Devine’s ultimate goal is to break into Tottenham’s first team next season. Former Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou highlighted his promise back in 2023, saying, “It’s an important part of this football club and the infrastructure and it’s something that we’re constantly monitoring to make sure the club is in the best place possible to find and develop the best talent. We’ve got Alfie Devine with us and Dane Scarlett, who are two young guys who have done really well so far and been with the first team.”
As the winter window looms, all eyes are on these young stars. Will Anderson make a blockbuster move? Can Cresswell return to England and bolster Everton’s back line? And will Devine’s performances earn him a place in the England Under-21 squad—and perhaps a shot at Tottenham’s senior side? The coming months promise plenty of twists and turns as clubs jostle for position on and off the pitch.
