Manchester City is facing the possibility of abandoning the plan to recruit Elliot Anderson after Nottingham Forest rejected the second offer for the English midfielder.
Man City's latest offer is said to have a total value of up to 120 million pounds, including 100 million pounds in transfer fees and 20 million pounds in extra fees based on Anderson's performance at Etihad. However, Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis wants to receive the entire amount in the form of a fixed transfer fee.
Chairman Khaldoon Al-Mubarak has no intention of rushing into a price war to own Anderson's signature. Man City's leadership believes that the price they offered reflects the true value of a 23-year-old player who still has much to prove and has never played in the Champions League.
If the deal is completed at the price Forest requires, Anderson will become the most expensive English player in history, surpassing the deals of Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice.
Man City has been pursuing Anderson for many months and still considers this midfielder a priority target. The England international himself is also said to prioritize moving to Etihad more than Manchester United or Chelsea.
Joining Nottingham Forest from Newcastle for £35 million in 2024, Anderson quickly rose to become one of the most prominent young midfielders in English football. Coach Enzo Maresca wants to strengthen the midfield after Bernardo Silva's departure, and considers Anderson as a long-term successor to Rodri.
Although the club-level future is still undecided, Anderson is currently fully focused on the task with the England team at the 2026 World Cup. Coach Thomas Tuchel affirmed that transfer rumors do not affect his student.
He is a top player and an important factor for the England team. I don't see any signs that he is distracted. Anderson is still training seriously, playing focused and showing great professionalism" - Tuchel shared after the 3-0 victory over Costa Rica.
The German coach also believes that if the transfer deal takes place, it will only further affirm Anderson's class, instead of creating more pressure for this young midfielder.
Nottingham Forest's determination to keep the price high shows that they are not under pressure to sell their brightest star. Anderson still has a long-term contract and is considered the center of the City Ground team's development plan.
Therefore, Forest has a great advantage at the negotiating table and is ready to wait if Man City does not meet financial requirements. Meanwhile, the Etihad Stadium team has also begun considering alternative options to avoid prolonging the deal.
The coming days are predicted to be decisive for the future of the 23-year-old midfielder, who is receiving special attention from many "big guys" of English football.
