Manchester City set to include ‘more achievable’ bonuses in fresh Elliot Anderson bid | OneFootball

Manchester City are looking to rework the structure of a prospective deal for Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson, building in bonuses that would be easier for the Premier League club to achieve.

City’s pursuit has been ongoing for several weeks, with two formal offers – including a £106 million package plus £15 million in bonuses – already rejected by Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis, who has held out for a total package closer to £130 million, with at least £110 million guaranteed up front.

Despite the financial stand-off, personal terms have already been agreed with Anderson himself, who has been granted permission by England manager Thomas Tuchel to undergo a Manchester City medical once the deal is finalised – amid his commitments with England in North America.

City have also seen one direct competitor fall away during the process, with Manchester United having withdrawn from the race for the 23-year-old midfielder earlier in June, leaving the Blues as the only club still actively negotiating with Forest.

With the move still expected to break the British transfer record once completed, attention has now turned to exactly how City might bridge the financial gap that has stalled progress so far.

Romano: City exploring ‘more achievable’ bonus structure

As reported by transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, Manchester City are currently looking to work around the structure of a deal for Anderson by building in bonuses that would be more achievable for Forest to unlock.

The approach suggests City are aiming to satisfy Marinakis’s valuation of the deal without necessarily increasing the guaranteed fixed fee, instead restructuring the add-ons attached to the package so they are reached through more realistic performance or appearance-based triggers.

Romano’s update does not specify whether this represents a fresh, formal bid or simply a change in approach to the existing offer on the table, though it points to City actively trying to find a route through the financial impasse rather than preparing to walk away.

What does this mean for City’s pursuit of Anderson?

The development will be seen as a sign of intent from City’s recruitment staff, with incoming manager Enzo Maresca eager to have his primary midfield target in place before the squad reports back for pre-season and travels for the club’s summer tour.

Restructuring bonuses rather than raising the guaranteed fee would also help City manage the deal within their own financial planning, even as Marinakis continues to push for as much of the package as possible to be paid upfront.

With personal terms already in place and Manchester United no longer a factor, the only remaining obstacle appears to be the mechanics of how Forest’s valuation is met rather than whether the move happens at all.

Whether a more flexible bonus structure proves enough to satisfy Marinakis remains to be seen, but City’s willingness to explore creative solutions suggests neither side views the current stand-off as one that will run much further into the summer.