Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis has reportedly placed a staggering £125 million valuation on midfielder Elliot Anderson, amid growing interest from Manchester United and Manchester City ahead of the summer transfer window.
Anderson, who joined Forest from Newcastle United for around £35 million in 2024, has rapidly developed into one of the club’s standout performers. His influence was on full display in Sunday’s emphatic 4-1 victory over Burnley, continuing a season of consistent high-level performances despite Forest’s ongoing battle near the lower end of the Premier League table.
The 2025/26 campaign has once again underlined Anderson’s importance to the squad. He played a key role in helping Forest secure European qualification last season, and his form has only strengthened his reputation as one of England’s most promising midfield talents. His technical ability, work rate, and composure under pressure have made him a central figure in the team’s structure.
However, his performances have inevitably attracted attention from some of the biggest clubs in English football. Manchester United are understood to have placed Anderson at the top of their midfield shortlist as they look to rebuild their squad, while Manchester City are also monitoring the situation closely, with reports suggesting the player himself may view a move to the Etihad as an appealing step in his career progression.
Despite the growing interest, Forest are not willing to part ways with their prized asset cheaply. According to reports from The Athletic, Marinakis has set an eye-watering £125 million price tag on Anderson, a figure designed to reflect both his importance to the team and the difficulty of replacing him.
Such a valuation would represent a massive profit for Forest, who signed the midfielder for a fraction of that amount just two years ago. If any club is willing to meet that demand, it would rank among the most significant sales in Nottingham Forest’s modern history.
The situation places Forest in a powerful but complicated position. While the club would welcome the financial boost that a record-breaking transfer fee could bring, losing a player of Anderson’s calibre would represent a major sporting setback. His creativity and control in midfield have been vital to Forest’s competitiveness, especially in tightly contested Premier League fixtures.
Marinakis is now expected to face a crucial summer window, where squad stability and recruitment strategy will be key. Reports suggest that Forest’s transfer planning will need to align more closely with the manager’s tactical requirements, particularly if high-profile departures such as Anderson’s are to be balanced with suitable replacements.
There is also an awareness within the club that past recruitment decisions have not always delivered the desired consistency. Should Anderson leave, the responsibility on Forest’s recruitment team to find a like-for-like replacement would be significant.
For now, however, Forest retain control of the situation. Anderson remains under contract and continues to play a central role in their push to secure Premier League survival. If the club succeed in maintaining their top-flight status, it could strengthen their negotiating position even further.
Nevertheless, with Manchester United and Manchester City both circling and a nine-figure valuation now reportedly in place, this transfer saga is expected to become one of the defining stories of the summer window.
