Manchester City’s second offer worth £120m for Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson has been rejected, intensifying a battle for the England international that Manchester United have all but conceded. Anderson, 23, prefers a move to the Etihad Stadium over Old Trafford, and personal terms are not an issue, but Forest have twice turned down City’s advances. The latest bid, an initial £106m plus add-ons, would have surpassed the £105m Arsenal paid for Declan Rice in 2023 as the record transfer for an English player. But United are effectively out of the running, having refused to enter a bidding war and only wanting players eager to join them.
City have long admired the Newcastle academy graduate, who helped Forest reach the Europa League semi-finals last season after arriving from Newcastle for £35m in 2024. Anderson started England’s 3-0 win over Costa Rica on Wednesday, their final friendly before the World Cup begins against Croatia on 17 June. With Bernardo Silva leaving City at the end of his contract, midfield reinforcements are a priority, and Anderson tops the list.
“Man City's £120m bid for Anderson rejected; Man Utd close in on £35m signing after backing out of race.”
Across Manchester, United are moving on their own targets. The club are set to announce a £35m transfer, with a medical booked for Michael Carrick’s priority signing. Meanwhile, they are also eyeing a move for West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes.