Manchester City’s Bid for Elliot Anderson Rejected by Nottingham Forest
Manchester City have had their first move for Elliot Anderson knocked back, but the message around the Premier League is clear enough: the champions are serious.
Nottingham Forest have rejected an opening offer from City for the 23-year-old midfielder, who is expected to leave the City Ground this summer after a standout season. The bid, reported by The Athletic, formalises interest that has been building for months.
City are not alone in the chase. Manchester United are in the frame, yet Anderson is understood to be leaning towards a switch to Etihad Stadium, as reported by BBC Sport last week. The pull of the serial title winners, the Champions League stage and a midfield spot opening up in the heart of Pep Guardiola’s side is hard to ignore.
A record-breaking deal in the making
Any agreement will not come cheap. A potential fee for Anderson is being spoken about in terms that would smash the record for a British player, eclipsing the £105m Arsenal paid West Ham for Declan Rice in 2023. Forest know exactly what they have on their hands and are in no rush to fold at the first offer.
Anderson, a Newcastle academy graduate, has just delivered a stellar campaign for Forest, driving their survival bid and emerging as one of the most complete young midfielders in the league. His rise has been rewarded with a place in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
For now, his focus is on the tournament. For his club, the phone lines stay open. Club-to-club talks can run in the background while he prepares on international duty.
City’s midfield reset
The timing of City’s move is no coincidence. Captain Bernardo Silva’s exit has left a sizeable gap in Guardiola’s midfield structure, both technically and emotionally. Anderson sits at the top of the list of potential replacements: a high-energy, press-resistant midfielder who can carry the ball, create and score.
City have tracked him since his early days at Newcastle, quietly monitoring his development as he grew into a central figure at Forest. Now, with their captain gone and a squad edging into a new cycle, they are ready to act.
Anderson is not the only name under discussion. Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali is also understood to be highly rated within the Etihad hierarchy, with the Italy international viewed as a long-term target and closely monitored over recent windows.
At the same time, the current squad is shifting. Nico Gonzalez, who missed out on Spain’s World Cup squad and slipped out of favour under Guardiola last season, could depart if a suitable offer lands. His situation underlines the ruthlessness of City’s refresh: no room for passengers, even talented ones.
Full-back hunt alongside marquee move
City’s recruitment drive does not stop in midfield. The champions are also in the market for a right-back to supplement Matheus Nunes, 28, who impressed this season after being converted from midfield into a hybrid full-back role.
That experiment worked. Now City want a specialist. The profile is clear: a young, natural full-back who can grow into the role over several seasons, giving Guardiola the same kind of long-term platform he once enjoyed on the opposite flank.
The strategy is familiar. One marquee midfield signing to anchor the next phase. One carefully chosen defender to future-proof a key position. The rejected opening bid for Anderson feels like the first move in a long summer game.
Forest have made their stance known. City, armed with resources and a clear plan, rarely walk away from players they truly believe in.
The question now is not whether they return with an improved offer, but how high they are prepared to go to make Anderson the next record-breaking piece of their evolving machine.
