Manchester City have seen a second offer worth £120m for Elliot Anderson rejected by Nottingham Forest, as the Premier League champions intensify their pursuit of the 23-year-old England international. The bid, comprising an initial £106m plus add-ons, would have eclipsed the £105m Arsenal paid for Declan Rice in 2023 as the record transfer for an English player.
Anderson, who started England's 3-0 win over Costa Rica on Wednesday, has made clear his preference for a move to the Etihad Stadium over Manchester United. Personal terms are not an issue, but Forest have rebuffed City's latest approach after an earlier bid was also turned down. United are effectively out of the race, having refused to enter a bidding war and only wanting players eager to join them.
“Manchester City's £120m bid for Elliot Anderson rejected; Manchester United lead race for Mateus Fernandes”
City's urgency stems from Bernardo Silva's departure at the end of his contract, leaving a hole in midfield that Anderson tops the list to fill. The former Newcastle academy graduate joined Forest for £35m in 2024 and has made 92 appearances, scoring six goals, while helping the club reach the Europa League semi-finals and avoid Premier League relegation despite four managers.
Meanwhile, Manchester United have pivoted to West Ham's Mateus Fernandes, with the club 'increasingly confident' of signing the Portugal international for up to £80m. Arsenal had also shown interest but are reluctant to meet the Hammers' valuation. Fernandes, who joined West Ham for £38m from Southampton last summer, scored five goals and notched four assists in what looks set to be his only season at the London Stadium after the club dropped into the Championship.
United are in the midst of a significant midfield rebuild. Casemiro has already left, Manuel Ugarte is expected to follow, and a deal for Atalanta's Ederson has been thrashed out. Former United coach Renee Meulensteen urged the club to strengthen, saying: "United need to sign at least two, if not three midfielders this transfer window. That's the position where they have to really, really strengthen." On Anderson, he added: "Anderson comes with a massive price tag, which makes you really question whether or not they can realistically go for him. I don't think Man United will pay that for Anderson."
City have long admired Anderson, but with two bids rejected, there are suggestions they could walk away before being drawn into a bidding war. Newcastle's Sandro Tonali remains a long-term target. Anderson, preparing for the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, may yet see his future resolved before the tournament begins.