Nottingham Forest have reportedly rejected Manchester City's first offer for midfielder Elliot Anderson as the Premier League champions continue their efforts to strengthen their squad ahead of the summer transfer window.

Anderson, 23, has emerged as one of City's top transfer targets, with reports suggesting that manager Pep Guardiola's side views him as a key addition for the upcoming season.According to the report, Forest are not actively seeking to sell the midfielder and have set a very high valuation on the player.

The club is believed to be demanding a transfer fee that exceeds the £105 million Arsenal paid for Declan Rice, highlighting how highly they rate Anderson and their reluctance to part with him.Forest's stance reflects both the player's importance to the team and the club's strong negotiating position.

Despite the rejection, Manchester City are expected to continue pursuing the deal and could return with an improved offer in an attempt to reach an agreement.City remain interested in securing Anderson's services but are also looking to negotiate terms that represent value for the club.The report also notes that Manchester United had shown interest in Anderson.However, Forest's substantial asking price appears to have discouraged United from moving forward with a potential bid.As a result, Manchester City currently seem to be the leading contender if any future transfer discussions progress.For now, Anderson remains a Nottingham Forest player, with the club showing no immediate intention of selling one of its most valued midfielders.