Exclusive: Manchester City are determined to sign England star Elliott Anderson, but Nottingham Forest’s reluctance to negotiate could cause a change of heart
Nottingham Forest’s assessment could invalidate Elliott Anderson’s contract (Image: Eddie Keogh/The FA via Getty Images)
Manchester City are reportedly considering terminating the contract of England superstar Elliot Anderson. City believe Nottingham Forest have rejected a second offer of £120m for Anderson.
The deal is understood to have been made up of £100m plus £20m in add-on fees, depending on Anderson’s success at the Etihad. But forest owner Evangelos Marinakis is holding out, demanding full payment.
City president Khaldoon al-Mubarak is not prepared to enter into a bidding war for the 23-year-old midfielder. Al Mubarak believes City’s offer is fair for a player who still has much to prove and has never even featured in the Champions League.
The offer would make Anderson the most expensive English player in history, ahead of Three Lions team-mates Jude Bellingham (£115m to Real Madrid) and Declan Rice (£105m to Arsenal).
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City commissioners have indicated in the past that they are willing to back out of negotiations and look elsewhere if they believe they are being held to ransom. Like when Liverpool signed Virgil van Dijk in 2018.
City have been chasing Anderson for months and are keen to lure him to the Etihad, but the deal has to be right for them. Anderson, who is on World Cup duty with England, has made it clear he wants to join City ahead of Manchester United or Chelsea.
Anderson joined Forest from Newcastle United in 2024 for £35 million and has established himself as one of the best young players in English football.
New City manager Enzo Maresca wants to strengthen his midfield options following the departure of Bernardo Silva. Anderson is also seen as a long-term replacement for Rodri, who has been linked with a return to Spain at some stage in the future.
Manchester City’s second bid for Elliott Anderson was rejected (Image: Getty Images)
Anderson is currently away from the England game and is fully focused on the World Cup and is expected to start next week against Croatia. Manager Thomas Tuchel is not concerned about Andersson taking his eye off the ball as his club’s future is at stake.
“He’s a top player. There’s nothing more I can say. He’s a complete player. I’m happy that he’s with us at that level and he’s an important player for us,” the England manager said after the 3-0 win against Costa Rica.
“Tender? No comment! He doesn’t seem affected. He had a great performance against Costa Rica. He’s fine.”
“I don’t talk to him about it. The assistant coach talked to him about it, but I don’t talk about it. It should give him a boost because it proves what he can do and what level he can perform. It looks like it’s giving him a boost at the moment.”
Thomas Tuchel is not worried about speculation affecting Elliott Anderson (Image: Eddie Keogh/The FA via Getty Images)
“Even if the transfer is completed, I hope he remains the same person. Nothing will change overnight when he wakes up. He is not a new player. He is not a new player.”
“At this price people will try to hang it around his neck, but nothing really changes. He just changes clubs and that’s the rules of the game. Hopefully he stays the same – a humble, determined, hungry footballer. No doubt he’s very calm.”
“Hopefully (if that happens) his confidence will increase. I don’t want to get too deep into whether it’s a confidence thing or not, but what you see on the pitch in practice is he’s working hard and not getting distracted. That’s what’s coming from him.”
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