Manchester City have seen their opening offer for Elliot Anderson rebuffed by Nottingham Forest, despite being favorites to land the midfielder this summer. The 23-year-old has drawn interest from Arsenal and Manchester United, with the latter already completing a £34m deal for Ederson from Atalanta.

Anderson's rise has been meteoric since joining Forest from Newcastle in 2024, establishing himself as one of the Premier League's finest central midfielders. His performances have earned him a spot in England's World Cup squad, and Forest hold a strong hand with his contract running until 2029.

Sky Sports analysis notes Anderson's exceptional ball retention, leading all Premier League central midfielders with 3,300 touches last season despite Forest's limited possession. He excels at recovering the ball and distributes intelligently, comparisons being drawn to Declan Rice's impact at Arsenal.

Manchester City view Anderson as a player who could partner or even replace Rodri in midfield, significantly upgrading their options. With his World Cup campaign beginning in two weeks, Forest's negotiating position will only strengthen if Anderson performs on the international stage.