Manchester City have already had an opening bid — understood to be in the region of £80 million — rejected by Forest, and are preparing a second, improved offer. Fabrizio Romano confirmed the rejection and noted that City remain the frontrunners, with Manchester United still in pursuit and unwilling to concede the race.
The Guardian reports that United are confident they can convince Anderson to choose Old Trafford. The Irish Times reports that United executives remain optimistic about their chances despite City's apparent pole position.
Anderson was permitted by England manager Thomas Tuchel to undergo a City medical during the World Cup in North America — a detail that points to how advanced the player's own thinking on his future has become, even as club-to-club negotiations remain unresolved.
Forest are in a commanding negotiating position. Anderson is contracted beyond the current summer window, meaning the Midlands club have no compulsion to sell below their valuation. Forest's asking price has been refined to around £105 million.
Anderson joined Nottingham Forest from Newcastle United in the summer of 2024 for approximately £35 million. He has since established himself as one of the most dynamic central midfielders in the Premier League, earning six England caps under Tuchel and playing a central role in the squad for this summer's World Cup.
United have already agreed a £35 million deal with Atalanta for Brazilian midfielder Éderson and are monitoring West Ham United's Mateus Fernandes as an alternative midfield option, though Fernandes is also attracting interest from multiple clubs across Europe.
Anderson remains the priority. City may have moved first, but United have not moved away.