Nottingham Forest have turned down an opening bid from Manchester City for central midfielder Elliot Anderson, with the 23-year-old attracting significant interest from across the Premier League.

Manchester City are considered the frontrunners to secure Anderson's signature this summer, but Arsenal and Manchester United are also monitoring the situation closely. Manchester United, meanwhile, moved quickly elsewhere in midfield, agreeing a £34 million deal to sign Ederson from Atalanta earlier this week.

Anderson's value and contract situation

Anderson is contracted at Forest until the summer of 2029, and the Tricky Trees show no urgency to sell. His asking price is expected to be steep — comparable fees in the midfielder market have surpassed £100 million in recent transfer windows, with Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez, and Declan Rice all commanding nine-figure sums.

The England international has established himself as one of the Premier League's finest central midfielders this season and is set to play a key role in England's FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign.

A crowded market for elite midfielders

Anderson is not the only top-tier central midfielder expected to be available this summer. Newcastle United's Sandro Tonali, Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton, and Brighton's Carlos Baleba are among the other names generating interest from leading clubs.

Manchester City have been impressed by how Anderson has developed since his move from Newcastle United to Forest in 2024, and relations between the two clubs are described as positive. However, Forest's rejection of the opening offer signals they intend to drive a hard bargain before any deal is reached.