Neil Warnock drops £120m Elliot Anderson claim as bid submitted: 'It's silly money'
Neil Warnock believes that Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson is worth £120million.
Manchester City are actively pursuing the 23-year-old and have had a second bid worth £120m rejected by Nottingham Forest.
Should Man City sign Anderson, he is set to become the most expensive British transfer in Premier League history, beating the £105m that Arsenal paid West Ham for Declan Rice.
Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis is handling negotiations, and is driving a hard bargain which could see Man City walk away from a deal.
Anderson, who is set to star for England at this summer's World Cup, has emerged as one of the best midfielders in the Premier League, and it is expected that he will leave the City Ground this summer.
Man City are looking to sign a new midfielder following the departure of captain Bernardo Silva, and there remains uncertainty over whether Rodri will be committing his future to the Etihad.
Elliot Anderson backed to shine at Man City
Speaking to talkSPORT after Man City's £120m bid had been rejected, Warnock believes that the figure is a fair price for the Citizens to pay for Anderson.
Warnock, who spent a day in May 2025 shadowing former manager Pep Guardiola at Man City's training ground, said: "I do think he [Anderson] is worth £120m me, I do honestly."
Man City missed out on the Premier League title to Arsenal this season by seven points, and Warnock believes that Anderson could help overturn that gap.
Warnock said: "I think he is the one player, I know it is silly money, but I think he is the only player who can win you things at that level because he is so calm and he sees a pass.
"He sees that pass when you're making a run through. He's got everything in his locker, and he's only going to get better.
"So if they get him I don't think there will be anything stopping them."
Man City are expected to announce Enzo Maresca as Pep Guardiola's successor, and the signing of Anderson could benefit the Italian after former Manchester United chief scout revealed to Football Insider that he must convince the squad of his plans for the future.
Is Elliot Anderson an upgrade on Rodri?
Anderson started all but one game for Nottingham Forest in the Premier League this season as they finished 16th in the table.
Whilst having played more minutes than Rodri, Anderson made more successful tackles, blocks and interceptions per 90 minutes than the Spaniard.
Anderson also won possession more times in the final third than Rodri, whilst posing a greater goal threat.
With Rodri turning 30 in a few weeks time, and with injuries having disrupted his past few seasons at Man City, Anderson could be the perfect long-term replacement in midfield.