Elliot Anderson‘s outstanding 2025/26 campaign has turned him into one of the most sought-after midfielders in the Premier League, with Nottingham Forest now facing a major battle to keep hold of one of their most valuable assets.
The England international enjoyed a breakthrough season at the City Ground, establishing himself as one of the driving forces behind Forest’s successful battle against the drop.
His energy, versatility and ability to influence games in both attacking and defensive situations caught the attention of clubs across the country.
What began as quiet admiration has quickly developed into a serious transfer race.
Man City have been heavily linked with Anderson in recent months and have already had a bid turned down, with incoming new boss Enzo Maresca spearheading the Sky Blues’ search for young, homegrown talent.
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The Forest midfielder ticks plenty of boxes.
At just 23 years old, he already possesses significant Premier League experience while still having plenty of room for further development.
Man United are also strong admirers of Anderson amid their search for another elite-level midfielder after Ederson.
Belgium star opens door to summer exit as Nottingham Forest make contact
The Tricky Trees are looking to reinforce their squad.
The Red Devils are understood to be keen on reshaping their midfield options and Anderson’s profile has made him an attractive target. His ability to operate in several positions across the middle of the pitch, combined with his relentless work rate, has reportedly impressed decision-makers at Old Trafford.
For Forest supporters, the growing interest has been both flattering and concerning.
Anderson’s performances have shown exactly why top clubs are taking notice, but losing such an influential player would represent a major blow ahead of another important season.
The midfielder has become a central figure for Vitor Pereira and remains hugely popular among the fanbase.
Now, the transfer saga appears to be entering a crucial phase.
Nottingham Forest braced for second Man City bid as £80m-plus claim made
According to talkSPORT journalist Alex Crook, City are preparing to return with a second offer for Anderson after seeing their initial approach fail to secure a breakthrough.
More significantly, City are reportedly willing to go beyond the £80million mark in order to land the Forest star.
That figure underlines just how highly they rate the midfielder.
City have rarely been afraid to invest heavily when they identify a player they believe can improve the squad, and Anderson now appears to have moved towards the top of their wishlist.
The size of the potential fee would also place him among the most expensive English midfielders in recent memory.
For Forest, the situation presents a difficult balancing act.
An offer worth more than £80 million would be extremely difficult for most clubs to ignore, regardless of how important the player may be. At the same time, replacing someone who has become such an integral part of the team would be a huge challenge.
Crook’s update also suggests the race is not completely over.
While City are currently viewed as favourites to complete a deal, United are reportedly still monitoring developments closely.
The Old Trafford club have not abandoned hope of bringing Anderson to Manchester themselves, although there is an acceptance that City currently hold the strongest position.
That leaves Forest facing an anxious few weeks.
The club remain under no immediate pressure to sell and will know Anderson’s value is only increasing as interest grows. Every new development strengthens their negotiating position.
Whether City ultimately meet Forest’s demands remains to be seen.
Nottingham Forest to try and reach ‘definitive agreement’ for signing in the coming days
The Tricky Trees need to bridge a small gap in valuation.