Manchester City are not backing down. After seeing their initial opening bid for Nottingham Forest star Elliot Anderson completely thrown out, the Etihad hierarchy are ready to return to the negotiating table with an absolute monster of a second offer.
The 23-year-old England midfielder has emerged as City’s absolute number one priority this summer. Even with Pep Guardiola having recently departed the club, the City chiefs are fully aligned on making Anderson the centerpiece of their new-look midfield, especially with Bernardo Silva moving on and lingering doubts over Rodri’s long-term plans after the upcoming World Cup.
But getting this deal over the line is proving to be a massive financial headache. Nottingham Forest are holding a brutally firm line on their prized asset. The City Ground bosses have slapped a jaw-dropping £100 million-plus price tag on the playmaker. In fact, reports behind the scenes suggest Forest believe Anderson should command a fee that completely eclipses the £105 million Arsenal paid for Declan Rice. If City want their man, they are going to have to smash their own club transfer record—currently the £100 million they spent on Jack Grealish.
The clock is ticking loudly for everyone involved. Anderson is currently in the United States with Thomas Tuchel’s England squad, preparing for the 2026 World Cup. Word from the camp is that the player has already given the green light to City and agreed to personal terms in principle. He is desperate to get his club future entirely sorted before England’s opening group stage match against Croatia on June 17 so he can focus fully on the tournament without any distractions.
Manchester United had been lurking around the situation, desperately wanting to hijack the deal to fix their own midfield problems. But let’s be honest—the noisy neighbors never really stood a realistic chance. Old Trafford chiefs have already made it clear they have zero intention of getting dragged into a toxic, over-inflated bidding war for a player who has openly preferred a move to the Etihad anyway. United are already shifting their focus to cheaper alternatives like Sandro Tonali, leaving the runway completely clear for City.
Negotiations between City and Forest are moving fast, with both clubs working hard to find a middle ground on the payment structure and add-ons. There is an overwhelming sense of optimism in Manchester that a breakthrough will be reached within the next seven days. City want this wrapped up immediately, and if their upcoming second bid hits the numbers Forest are demanding, Elliot Anderson will be wearing sky blue before the World Cup even kicks off.
