Forest demand £130m Premier League record fee to block Anderson's move to Man City

Nottingham Forest are demanding up to £130m for Elliot Anderson after rejecting a second Manchester City bid, believed to be worth £106m plus £15m in bonuses, for the 23-year-old England midfielder. Forest are holding firm for a package comprising £110m up front and £20m in add-ons before sanctioning any deal.

Should City meet that valuation, Anderson would become the third most expensive player in football history — behind only Neymar and Kylian Mbappé — and the move would set a new Premier League transfer record. Despite the impasse, Anderson has made no secret of his desire to join City, and there is said to be growing confidence that an agreement will be reached this summer.

Manchester United, who had previously registered an interest in Anderson, are now expected to step back from the pursuit, with the asking price deemed excessive. West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes has emerged as the primary midfield target at Old Trafford, though the relegated Hammers are demanding around £80m for the 21-year-old.

United have already agreed a deal to sign Atalanta midfielder Ederson for £35m plus £3.8m in add-ons, but are keen to add at least one, possibly two, further midfield signings ahead of their Champions League return. Bournemouth’s Alex Scott is also on their radar, while Aurélien Tchouaméni of Real Madrid is admired but expected to remain at the Santiago Bernabéu following José Mourinho’s appointment as manager there.

The need for reinforcements is acute. Casemiro has departed on the expiry of his contract, Manuel Ugarte is set to leave, and Kobbie Mainoo currently stands as the only recognised senior central midfielder on United’s books. With the 2026/27 season still more than two months away, the club say they are determined not to rush their recruitment.