Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson has withdrawn from Scotland's national team setup amid growing speculation linking him with a move to Manchester City and a potential switch of international allegiance to England. The 23-year-old, who previously represented Scotland at youth level, has been called up to England's senior squad for their pre-World Cup camp in Florida, sparking reports that he could commit his international future to the Three Lions.
Anderson's decision comes as Manchester City intensify their pursuit of the player, having already made two bids for him this summer. The Premier League champions' latest offer is understood to be worth £106 million plus £16 million in add-ons, which would break the British transfer record of £105 million that Arsenal paid for Declan Rice in 2023. Nottingham Forest, however, are holding out for a fee of at least £125 million, matching the sum Liverpool paid for Alexander Isak last year.
Anderson's rapid rise has been remarkable. After establishing himself as a regular for Forest last season, he earned his first England cap under Thomas Tuchel and has since become a key figure in the national team's midfield. His performances have drawn comparisons to Rice, and Tuchel has reportedly identified Anderson as the ideal partner to free up Rice in a more advanced role.
Despite the transfer speculation, Anderson has remained focused on his football. In England's recent friendly against Costa Rica, he delivered a dominant display, completing 74 passes and registering 94 touches—both game-highs. His composure and work rate were evident as he made three tackles and was fouled five times, including a clash of heads that he shrugged off without fuss.
Anderson's decision to step away from Scotland duty is a significant blow to the Scottish national team, who had hoped to cap him at senior level. However, with England's World Cup campaign on the horizon and a potential record-breaking transfer to City in the works, Anderson's focus appears to be firmly on his future with the Three Lions.
