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According to reports from The Athletic, Manchester City have tabled an opening bid for Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson, which has been turned down by the Forest management. Despite the rejection, City are expected to continue their pursuit, while Forest will look to secure the most favourable terms should Anderson depart during the summer transfer window.

Recent moves in the midfield market — including those involving Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez and Declan Rice — have surpassed the £100 million mark. Arsenal’s £105 million package for Rice in July 2023 is often cited as the benchmark figure for top-tier midfield transfers.

Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis and City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak were seen in conversation at UEFA’s Champions League dinner in Budapest last Thursday. However, it is understood that Anderson’s potential transfer was not part of their discussions.

Manchester United have also expressed interest in the past but have consistently indicated they are unwilling to meet Nottingham Forest’s valuation of the player.

Anderson is currently training with the England squad in Florida ahead of this summer’s World Cup, which will be hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico. He is expected to play a key role in Thomas Tuchel’s setup during the tournament.

Although Nottingham Forest were not actively planning to sell Anderson, there is now an acknowledgment within the club that his departure appears increasingly inevitable. The midfielder still has three years remaining on his existing contract.

Anderson joined Forest from Newcastle United in a £35 million transfer that also saw goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos move in the opposite direction. As part of that deal, Anderson was valued at £15 million. Since then, he has made 92 appearances for Forest, including 50 during the most recent season.

Manchester City are particularly keen on acquiring top English talent due to homegrown quota requirements and immediate Premier League readiness. Anderson is viewed internally as a potential successor to Bernardo Silva. During the 2025–26 Premier League season, he was involved in 14 percent of Forest’s total touches and contributed four goals and four assists.