Elliott Anderson’s outstanding 2025/26 season has turned him into one of the Premier League’s most popular midfielders, and Nottingham Forest now face a massive battle to retain one of their most valuable assets.
The England international had a breakthrough season at the City Ground, establishing himself as one of the driving forces behind Forest’s successful fight against slump.
His energy, versatility, and ability to influence the game in both attacking and defensive situations attracted the attention of clubs across the country.
What started as a quiet compliment quickly turned into a serious transfer race.
Man City have been linked with Anderson in recent months, but their bid has already been rejected, with new manager Enzo Maresca leading the Sky Blues’ search for young homegrown talent.
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The Forest midfielder ticks a lot of boxes.
At just 23 years old, he already has a wealth of experience in the Premier League and still has plenty of room for further development.
Man United also have high praise for Andersson as they search for an elite-level midfielder to replace Ederson.
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Tricky Trees are looking to strengthen their team.
The Red Devils are understood to be keen to rebuild their midfield options and Anderson’s profile makes him an attractive target. His ability to play multiple positions in the middle of the pitch, coupled with his relentless work rate, has reportedly impressed decision-makers at Old Trafford.
For Forest supporters, the increased interest is both gratifying and worrying.
Anderson’s performances have shown exactly why top clubs are paying attention, but losing such an influential player would be a huge blow ahead of another crucial season.
The midfielder has become a mainstay at Vitor Pereira and remains hugely popular among the fan base.
The transfer saga now appears to be entering an important stage.
Nottingham Forest prepare for second Man City bid with demands of more than £80m
According to talkSPORT journalist Alex Crook, City are preparing to return Anderson with a second offer after their first approach failed to secure a breakthrough.
More importantly, City are reportedly willing to exceed their £80m target to sign the Forest star.
This figure highlights how highly they value their midfielders.
City are rarely afraid to invest big when identifying players they believe can strengthen their squad, and Anderson now appears to be near the top of their wishlist.
Given the size of his potential transfer fee, he would be one of the most expensive English midfielders in recent memory.
For Forest, this is a difficult situation to balance.
An offer of over £80 million would be very difficult for most clubs to ignore, no matter how important the player is. At the same time, it will be a big challenge to replace someone who has become an integral part of the team.
Crook’s latest information also suggests the race is far from over.
City are currently thought to be the frontrunners to seal the deal, but United are reportedly still keeping an eye on developments.
The Old Trafford club remain hopeful of bringing Anderson to Manchester themselves, despite the perception that City are currently in the strongest position.
As a result, Forrest faces several uncertain weeks.
The club are under no immediate pressure to sell and will be aware that Anderson’s value will only increase as interest grows. Each new development strengthens their bargaining position.
It remains to be seen whether City will ultimately meet Forest’s demands.
Nottingham Forest aim to reach ‘final agreement’ for signature in coming days
Tricky Trees needs to fill a small gap in valuation.
