Manchester City's pursuit of Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson has hit a major roadblock, with reports indicating that a staggering £120 million bid has been rejected. This stalemate is sending ripples through the transfer market, potentially influencing deals for other top midfield targets across the Premier League.
Sources close to CaughtOffside suggest that despite City's strong desire to secure Anderson, Nottingham Forest is playing hardball, turning down multiple offers. This aggressive stance has reportedly led Manchester United to pivot from their interest in Anderson, shifting their focus and reportedly leading the race to sign West Ham's Mateus Fernandes for an estimated £80 million.
The Red Devils are also said to have an agreement in place to sign Ederson from Atalanta, signaling a busy summer window for them. Meanwhile, other clubs are still scrambling to secure their midfield reinforcements amidst a crowded field of speculation surrounding players like Sandro Tonali, Adam Wharton, Carlos Baleba, and Alex Scott.
Interestingly, both Arsenal and Manchester City have shown interest in AC Milan's Sandro Tonali. With Anderson proving too costly, City might ramp up their efforts for Tonali, especially after being tipped off that they would try again for Anderson, only to find the deal proving unexpectedly expensive. A source close to the situation confirmed, "Anderson is City’s priority, they want to get this deal done, and he wants the move. But City have other options and would be prepared to walk away if Forest won’t relax their stance."
Beyond these headline deals, midfielders like Adam Wharton and Alex Scott are gaining significant traction, with Scott's stock reportedly rising sharply, discussed internally by at least five leading Premier League clubs. Tottenham also maintains interest in Carlos Baleba, potentially reignited by Roberto De Zerbi's arrival. Meanwhile, Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez has reportedly expressed a desire to leave, attracting interest from Real Madrid, which could further shake up the midfield landscape if a substantial offer lands at Stamford Bridge.
