Manchester City’s opening bid for England midfielder Elliot Anderson rebuffed by Nottingham Forest

Manchester City have submitted an opening offer for Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson, the 23‑year‑old England international who has become one of the Premier League’s most sought‑after midfielders. Forest rejected the bid, signalling that they expect a fee in excess of £100 million – a sum that could set a new record for a British player and surpass the £105 million Arsenal paid for Declan Rice in 2023.

City are looking to bolster their midfield after the departures of Bernardo Silva and the pending exit of Pep Guardiola, and see Anderson as a key target to replace those outgoing figures. The club also wants to pre‑empt interest from rival Manchester United, Arsenal and other top European sides.

Anderson is under contract with Forest until 2029 and is set to play a major role for England at the upcoming World Cup. Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis has stressed the player’s importance to the club’s long‑term plans and indicated a willingness to hold out for a nine‑figure offer. Negotiations are expected to continue as the summer transfer window progresses.