Manchester City have no choice but to go big to sign their top summer transfer target

Manchester City had their first bid for Elliot Anderson rejected by Nottingham Forest. Despite this setback, it was expected that City would return with a second bid to sign the midfielder they desperately need. Manchester City’s second bid for Elliot Anderson has now arrived and been rejected once again by Nottingham Forest. It is now becoming clear that City will have to go big to sign their top transfer target this summer. Frankly, Manchester City has no choice given they are trying to sign the player they so desperately need to bolster their midfield.

Manchester City has submitted a second offer to Nottingham Forest for Elliot Anderson.

David Ornstein has reported for The Athletic that Manchester City has submitted a verbal offer to Nottingham Forest for Elliot Anderson. Manchester City’s offer was worth £106 million upfront, with potential add-ons taking City’s offer in excess of £120 million. However, Nottingham Forest is holding out for a fixed fee of over £125 million, which would surpass the British record transfer fee that Liverpool paid Newcastle to sign Swedish striker Alexander Isak last summer Ornstein also reports.

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Following David Ornstein’s report, Martin Blackburn has also reported on Manchester City’s bid to sign Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest for The Sun. Blackburn reports that Forest wants at least £110 million upfront to sell Anderson. Furthermore, it is also reported that Manchester City wants their move for Elliot Anderson tied up before the World Cup begins. Blackburn adds that a compromise between City and Forest could be found before England’s opening World Cup fixture against Croatia, which takes place next Wednesday.

Lastly, John Percy has reported for The Telegraph that Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis has deemed Manchester City’s second offer for Elliot Anderson unacceptable. Therefore, Forest have rejected Manchester City’s record-breaking bid. Furthermore, Percy reports that negotiations between City and Forest remain ongoing.

City know the terms they have to meet to sign the midfielder they so desperately need.

Manchester City’s bid to sign Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest was never going to be a straightforward process. Anderson is by far Nottingham Forest’s most important player. His terrific performances throughout the 2025-26 season established him as one of the elite midfielders in the Premier League. Also, Anderson is only 23 years of age, with his best years ahead of him. Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis knows he has a true asset on his hands in Anderson. Therefore, his stance on what it will take for City to sign the England international is understandable.

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From a Manchester City point of view, they will have to pay up to sign Elliot Anderson. There is no other alternative. Also, Manchester City’s need to sign Elliot Anderson is clear to see. With Bernardo Silva having departed City, there is a gaping hole in Manchester City’s midfield. Anderson is the ideal player to fill this void. Also, Nico Gonzalez and Tijjani Reijnders haven’t performed as expected; therefore, you do feel that City cannot afford to miss out on signing an elite Premier League-proven midfielder in Elliot Anderson.

Manchester City’s bid to sign Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest remains ongoing. City’s second bid has again been rejected by Forest. However, it does appear like City will be willing to break the transfer record for a British player but they may also have to break the British record transfer fee in the process. That may be the price that City have to pay to strengthen their midfield this summer.