Manchester City's opening bid for Elliot Anderson rejected by Nottingham Forest

Manchester City have made their first major move of the summer window with a bid for Nottingham Forest's England midfielder Elliot Anderson, but according to BBC reporting that opening offer has been rejected. Anderson, who started 38 Premier League matches for Forest last season, has emerged as a central figure for both club and country.

The BBC reports City's opening bid was worth around 60 million pounds, while Forest are understood to value Anderson at more than 80 million pounds. Negotiations are expected to drag on through the summer, with a clear gap between the two clubs over the appropriate fee.

Anderson came through the Newcastle United academy before joining Forest in the summer of 2024 in a deal worth about 35 million pounds. He has since become a central component of Nuno Espirito Santo's midfield, prized for his progressive passing, defensive recovery and capacity to cover ground.

The logic behind Pep Guardiola's interest is straightforward. City need to refresh a midfield that has aged around Kevin De Bruyne and lost Ilkay Gundogan for a second time. Anderson, at 23 and still on a rising curve, is viewed as the profile most likely to lengthen the cycle around Rodri and Phil Foden for several more seasons.

At Forest, head coach Nuno Espirito Santo and sporting director Edu Gaspar are reluctant to lose a player they consider integral to a side that secured European football last season. Sources close to the club told the BBC the position is firm at the opening price, although the door has not been closed to a larger offer.

Forest's approach mirrors the patient bargaining the club used in selling Brennan Johnson and Morgan Gibbs-White over the past two windows. The Tricky Trees have shown they will hold out when they believe a bid undervalues a player, and that pattern is being repeated here.

Anderson's representatives, led by agent Aidy Ward, have reportedly told Forest the player would like the opportunity to play in the Champions League and challenge for the Premier League title. According to BBC sport, discussions between Ward and both clubs have been ongoing for several weeks.

Profit and Sustainability Rules continue to shape every major Premier League transfer this summer. Forest, like Chelsea and Aston Villa, were forced to manage cash flow carefully in past windows, and a major sale could ease their balance sheet. Yet there is no indication Forest are under acute pressure to sell this June.

Elsewhere on City's summer board, the club is also scouting Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Florian Wirtz and Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke, according to BBC reporting. Anderson, however, is described as priority one for Guardiola, who wants the new arrival in place before pre-season opens.

The next round of talks between Manchester City and Nottingham Forest is expected within the coming weeks. The Premier League summer window closes on 1 September 2026, and BBC sources indicated City will return with an improved second bid rather than walk away. Whether Forest move on price remains the central question of an early summer transfer story that already has several months left to run.