Manchester City want Elliot Anderson badly enough to put together a package worth up to £106 million. Nottingham Forest’s response: not bad, but not good enough either.

The two clubs are locked in negotiations over Anderson, the 23-year-old England international who has become one of the most sought-after midfielders in the Premier League. Forest rejected City’s opening bid of approximately £80 million and have made their position clear: they want a guaranteed fee in the range of £115-120 million, not a headline number inflated by performance bonuses and add-ons.

The gap between headline fees and guaranteed money

That distinction matters enormously to Forest. The club’s asking price sits firmly at £115-120 million in guaranteed money. City’s initial approach of roughly £80 million was rejected almost immediately, and even with the package reportedly rising toward £106 million in total value, the structure of the deal remains the sticking point.

If Forest secure their asking price, it would represent a British record transfer fee.

Why Anderson commands this kind of price tag

Elliot Anderson is 23 years old, English, and currently with the national team in Miami as part of preparations for the 2026 World Cup. That combination of age, nationality, and international pedigree makes him extraordinarily valuable in a market where homegrown talent commands a premium.

Manchester City aren’t the only club circling. Manchester United have reportedly shown interest in Anderson as well, though City are widely viewed as the frontrunner.

Players of similar profiles, like Moisés Caicedo and Declan Rice, have commanded fees well over £100 million in recent transfer windows. Forest know this and are pricing accordingly.

What this means for both clubs

Negotiations remain active as of early June 2026, with both sides still engaged after the conclusion of the 2025/26 season.

The difference between what City have offered and what Forest want is roughly £10-15 million in guaranteed money.