Manchester City's offer, confirmed by ESPN and the Daily Mail, includes a base fee of £106 million with add-ons that could take the total to £121 million. Nottingham Forest's initial response has been a firm rejection.
The Athletic reports that the Midlands club will only sanction a sale if the fixed fee alone exceeds the current British transfer record — the £125 million Liverpool paid Newcastle United for Alexander Isak last summer.
Anderson, 23, made 38 Premier League appearances for Forest last season, scoring four goals and adding four assists. He joined the club from Newcastle in the summer of 2024 for £35 million, and has since established himself as one of the best central midfielders in the league.
He is currently on England duty at the FIFA World Cup 2026, wearing the number eight shirt for Thomas Tuchel. Anderson reportedly agreed personal terms with City some time ago and remains committed to making the move happen.
Manchester City's resolve is being tested by Forest's stance. Director of football Hugo Viana has made Anderson a priority target and the club values the transfer considerably more highly than their previous pursuit of Anthony Gordon, who joined Barcelona instead. They are now assessing whether to return with a third bid or hold firm.
Manchester United have effectively exited the race. According to Goal.com, the club determined that entering an "eye-wateringly expensive" bidding war with City — where the fee could climb toward £130 million — was beyond what they were prepared to spend. United had previously held talks with Anderson's camp and expressed optimism about their chances, but the escalating figures have changed the calculation.
City retain a fallback. They are monitoring Sandro Tonali's situation at Newcastle United in the event a deal for Anderson cannot be completed.
For Forest and owner Evangelos Marinakis, the position is straightforward. Anderson has three years remaining on his contract. Marinakis has no financial compulsion to sell. If City want the player badly enough, they know the price.
A third bid is expected.