Nottingham Forest have set their asking price for Elliot Anderson at a Premier League record fee, as Manchester City pursue the midfielder. The club rejected a second bid from City, reportedly £106 million plus £15 million in bonuses, for the 23-year-old England international.
Forest Holding Out for Record Fee
According to the Daily Mail, Forest are holding out for a package worth up to £130 million — £110 million upfront and £20 million in bonuses — to sell Anderson to City. Despite turning down two offers, Anderson has made it clear his preference is a move to City, and there is confidence a deal will be completed this summer.
If City sign Anderson for £130 million, it would set a new Premier League transfer record and make him the third most expensive player of all time, after Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.
Manchester United Decide Against Bidding
Manchester United had shown interest in Anderson but are expected to move on to other midfield targets after City's second bid, as they consider the fee too high. West Ham United's Mateus Fernandes is at the top of their list, though the Hammers demand around £80 million for the 21-year-old, despite their relegation to the Championship.
United have already agreed a deal to sign Atalanta's Ederson for £35 million plus £3.8 million in add-ons but want to add at least one, if not two, more midfielders as they prepare for Champions League return. They also admire Bournemouth's Alex Scott, who has been training with England in North America ahead of the World Cup, and Real Madrid's Aurelien Tchouameni, though the Frenchman is expected to stay after Jose Mourinho's appointment.
With Casemiro leaving at the end of his contract and Manuel Ugarte poised to exit, Kobbie Mainoo is the only recognised senior central midfielder at United. However, with the World Cup about to start and the 2026/27 season still over two months away, United are not panicking and have time to strengthen.
