Nottingham Forest Values Elliot Anderson at £115m Amid Manchester City Interest

Nottingham Forest has set a £115 million asking price for midfielder Elliot Anderson, as Manchester City seeks to strengthen its squad following Pep Guardiola's departure. Despite City's interest, doubts remain over whether any club will meet Forest's steep valuation.

Manchester City continues its pursuit of Anderson, undeterred after an initial bid was rejected by Forest. The Premier League club prioritizes reinforcing its midfield ahead of a major squad overhaul in the post-Guardiola period.

Forest insists on a high transfer fee, reportedly benchmarking their demand against recent record deals such as Declan Rice's transfer to Arsenal. However, skepticism is mounting among former professionals and analysts about the likelihood of any team agreeing to Forest's £115 million valuation for the 23-year-old player.

Shaun Wright-Phillips voiced concerns about Anderson's hefty price tag during an interview with betway. The ex-Manchester City and Chelsea winger acknowledged Anderson's talent but questioned whether the current market supports such a valuation for a player still solidifying his status at the top level.

"I think he’s a fantastic player, but the problem you’ve got in football is owners are now slapping those price tags on players, whether they think they’re worth it or not. It’s just a matter of this is how much we want for him," Wright-Phillips stated.

He added, "But it’s an interesting situation because the most City have spent on a player is £100m, and that was a one-off anyway. It would surprise me to see any team in England go in at that price. But he will be a sought-after player by all the top clubs because he’s that good at what he does."

Anderson's performance at the City Ground supports his reputation, with statistics from the 2025-26 season showing him leading in duels won and total touches, highlighting his influence in a deeper midfield role. His development into a versatile "No.6 or No.8" has attracted attention from elite clubs, despite the record-breaking price tag.

Reflecting on his tactical growth, Anderson told the Guardian, “I feel like I’ve sort of nailed a position. I know I did it last season, but I have found myself really comfortable in centre-mid, No.6, No.8,” underscoring the adaptability that has drawn interest from potential successors to Guardiola and from Manchester United.

The forthcoming World Cup presents Anderson with a platform to justify his valuation. Success with England alongside teammates Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham could shift perceptions of Forest’s asking price from excessive to reasonable. Anderson has already demonstrated his ability to perform under pressure, having been selected for the team of the tournament at the Under-21 European Championship.