Breaking the English record, Man City aims to trigger a £120 million blockbuster transfer

Elliot Anderson is facing the opportunity to become the most costly English footballer in Premier League history after Manchester City submitted a huge bid, and United had to pull out of the competition.

Elliot Anderson is experiencing the most memorable days of his career. Not only is he preparing for his first World Cup with the England national team, but the Nottingham Forest midfielder has also become the center of attention in the summer 2026 transfer market.

According to a revelation from The Athletic journalist David Ornstein, Manchester City have returned with a £106 million offer for Anderson after Nottingham Forest rejected their initial bid. Including add-ons, the total value of the deal is reportedly exceeding the £120 million mark.

This figure is enough to break the transfer record for an English player. Previously, Declan Rice held the top spot when he joined Arsenal from West Ham in 2023.

However, Nottingham Forest remain unsatisfied. The East Midlands club consider Anderson their most valuable asset and will only sit down at the negotiation table if they receive a fixed fee surpassing the £125 million milestone.

His impressive form in a Forest shirt has helped Anderson become one of the most outstanding midfielders in the Premier League this past season. He played a key role in the team's successful campaign and consequently earned a chance from head coach Thomas Tuchel with England ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

While Man City are determined in their pursuit, Manchester United have been forced to step back. The Red Devils once considered Anderson their top target to upgrade the midfield under Michael Carrick. However, the excessive price tag has left Old Trafford unable to compete.

According to Ornstein, United "cannot compete at the current financial level" and have declined to engage in a prolonged bidding war.

Journalist Ben Jacobs also confirmed that Anderson is "a dream target" for Manchester United, but the board does not want to get dragged into a price battle with Man City. Instead, the Red Devils are shifting their focus to other options such as Alex Scott, Mateus Fernandes, or Carlos Baleba.

Amid Anderson's future becoming a hot topic, head coach Thomas Tuchel stated that he would not stand in the way of his players if they have the chance to move to a new destination.

"If everything is handled privately, efficiently, and discreetly, we are always willing to help. If a player has the opportunity to move to another club, we won't stop them," the German tactician shared.

If Man City agree to meet Nottingham Forest's demands, Elliot Anderson will not only become the blockbuster signing of the summer but also etch his name in history as the English player with the highest transfer fee in the Premier League.