Manchester City are preparing a second bid for Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson after their opening offer was rejected by the Championship club.
According to talkSPORT’s Alex Crook, City are ready to go above £80m for the England international as they push hard to secure his signature.
Forest are holding firm on their valuation and could demand closer to the kind of fee Arsenal paid for Declan Rice, making this one of the summer’s most expensive potential deals.
The move signals just how seriously Manchester City are taking their midfield rebuild ahead of a crucial season.
After a period of change and uncertainty, City want more energy, ball-carrying ability and Premier League-proven quality in the centre of the pitch.
Anderson joined Nottingham Forest from Newcastle in 2024 for around £35m and has since developed into one of their most important and influential players.
His form last season was impressive, producing four goals and four assists across 38 matches while also earning recognition with the England national side ahead of the World Cup.
Manchester United are not prepared to walk away from the race and still believe they can compete for the 23-year-old, according to a report from The Guardian.
City are currently considered favourites having already made the first formal move, but United are hoping for a late twist in what is becoming a significant transfer saga.
For United, the interest makes clear sense as manager Michael Carrick continues to reshape his midfield options this summer.
United have already agreed a £35m deal for Atalanta’s Éderson, and Anderson would add an entirely different profile to that signing.
His ball-carrying, Premier League experience and tactical flexibility make him an attractive option for any top club looking to add dynamism in central areas.
Sky Sports reported that Forest rejected City’s opening bid and expect the valuation to remain high given the fees top midfielders have commanded in recent transfer windows.
Forest are under no financial pressure to accept a low offer and are well positioned to hold out for a figure that reflects Anderson’s growing status in the game.
City look like the better-placed club right now, having moved first and shown a clear willingness to meet Forest’s lofty asking price.
United will need to act quickly and decisively if they are to have any realistic chance of winning this race against their rivals.
