Man City have tabled a bid worth up to £120 million for Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson, which could have an impact on Liverpool’s own plans.
The Athletic‘s David Ornstein reported on Wednesday evening that Man City had offered an initial £106 million rising to around £120 million for Anderson.
This came after Forest rejected their first offer, and though this latest approach has not been dismissed, Ornstein explains that the Midlands club are looking for a guaranteed British record fee.
Liverpool’s £125 million deal for Alexander Isak last summer is the current record, which underlines the strong stance Forest are taking over their No. 8.
Anderson is likely to move at some stage in the transfer window, but the situation could have wider ramifications when it comes to the market for midfielders.
Liverpool’s interest in Adam Wharton and Alex Scott
Two such instances could come with midfielders linked with moves to Liverpool: Crystal Palace‘s Adam Wharton and Bournemouth‘s Alex Scott.
Both Palace and Bournemouth are already reported to be seeking fees upwards of £80 million for Wharton and Scott, but developments around Anderson’s future may only steel their resolve when it comes to a sale.
Scott’s availability is boosted as he enters the final two years of his contract, however, while Wharton’s deal with Palace is still set to run until 2029.
Nevertheless, Man City‘s willingness to commit a nine-figure fee for a player with no Champions League experience, only 119 Premier League appearances and nine England caps sets the bar high in the market for homegrown midfielders.
Could Curtis Jones’ value now increase?
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 24, 2026: Liverpool's Curtis Jones during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Brentford FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Liverpool could also use this as leverage when it comes to negotiations over Curtis Jones, who is wanted by Inter Milan.
So far, the price tag for Jones has been set at £35 million, with the Serie A side nowhere close to meeting that valuation, but despite the Scouser heading into the final year of his deal Liverpool’s stance should be strengthened.
It could be argued, given that the fees quoted for Anderson, Wharton and Scott, that Liverpool should in fact reconsider Jones’ value to his current club.
Midfielder Comparison: Jones, Anderson, Wharton & Scott
Player Age PL Apps Contract Market Value
Curtis Jones 25 153 2026 £36m
Elliot Anderson 23 119 2029 £55m
Adam Wharton 22 70 2029 £56m
Alex Scott 22 80 2028 £33m
Still only 25 and proven in both the Premier League and Champions League, Andoni Iraola would almost certainly relish working with a midfielder of his experience, versatility and potential to develop even further.
With a shortage of homegrown players in the Liverpool squad, it should arguably be a case of keeping Jones and adding one of Wharton or Scott, rather than replacing the No. 17 this summer.