Earlier this week, we reported that Elliot Anderson had become a major summer target for Manchester City. The next step is clear enough: Nottingham Forest have rejected City's £106million offer and are now holding out for a British-record package before they sell.
City's bid was structured at £121million in total, with £106million guaranteed and the rest in add-ons. Forest have turned that down and want an initial sum close to £120million, with TEAMtalk saying the final figure could reach £130million if the deal is completed on their terms.
Why Forest are pushing the price so high
This is not a case of Forest being awkward for the sake of it. They are 16th in the Premier League, City are 2nd, and Anderson has been one of the few players whose value looks obvious in the numbers as well as the eye test. He has averaged 7.5 across his last five matches, with one goal and two assists in that run.
Fabrizio Romano said Forest want “£120m+ fixed” and are aware of Manchester United's interest. Goal, though, says United have cooled their interest and are looking at other midfield targets instead. That is where the dispute sits for now, not with a finished deal, but with two different versions of where the market starts.
If City go back in with a third bid, the fee will have to move again. For now, Forest have made it plain that £106million is not close enough, and Anderson's next move still depends on whether City are willing to meet a British-record ask.
Compiled by the ClutchBrief Desk with AI assistance, cross-checked against 2 outlets. How we work →