In a summer window already packed with blockbuster moves, the midfield market just exploded with fresh drama. CaughtOffside can reveal that Manchester City have seen a jaw-dropping second bid — believed to be worth a staggering £120 million — for Nottingham Forest star Elliot Anderson turned down flat. And that rejection could have massive ripple effects across the Premier League and beyond.
Sources close to the situation have told CaughtOffside that the reigning Premier League champions are growing increasingly frustrated with Forest’s hardball tactics. One insider close to the club claimed, “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.” That ultimatum, according to insiders, has sent the rumor mill into overdrive.
The saga has reportedly forced Manchester United to pivot hard. After initially being linked with Anderson, the Red Devils are said to have backed out when the price tag ballooned. Now, according to reports from the Times, United are “leading the race” for West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes, a potential £80 million deal. That comes on the heels of an agreement already in place for Atalanta’s Ederson, per BBC Sport. It’s a bold strategy that has fans buzzing about what’s next.
But here’s where it gets truly explosive: if City walk away from Anderson, insiders say they could pivot to Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali — a player Arsenal have also reportedly been tracking closely. One source close to the Arsenal camp told CaughtOffside that the Gunners have “a genuine interest,” but City’s sudden availability in the market could spark a bitter tug-of-war. “This changes everything,” one agent with ties to multiple Premier League clubs told us. “If City suddenly have £120 million to spend elsewhere, the entire midfield market reshuffles.”
The Anderson rejection also raises questions about other top midfield targets. Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, once a United priority, has reportedly seen his stock slide after a dip in form. Although he still has personal terms agreed with United from last year, insiders claim the Red Devils’ interest has cooled — especially with Ederson and Fernandes looking likely. Tottenham, now under former Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi, have also been linked to Baleba, but sources say no meaningful talks have taken place yet.
Meanwhile, Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton and Bournemouth’s Alex Scott are reportedly on the radar of at least five top Premier League clubs, including Liverpool and Chelsea. Scott’s star has risen sharply in recent weeks, with internal discussions reportedly heating up. And then there’s Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez, who has reportedly made noise about wanting out of Stamford Bridge. Real Madrid are said to be lurking, with sources confirming “zeroing in” on the Argentine. If a mega-bid lands, Chelsea would reportedly need a replacement, and names like Tonali, Wharton, and Scott could rocket up their list.
For now, Chelsea’s official stance is to keep Fernandez, but with the market in a state of flux and City potentially pivoting their massive war chest, nothing is set in stone. As one senior league executive put it this week: “The next 48 hours will tell us everything. This isn’t just about one player — it’s about who blinks first.”
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