A record move edges closer
Manchester City have reached an agreement with Nottingham Forest to sign Elliot Anderson in a deal worth £116 million, putting the England midfielder on the verge of one of the biggest transfers in Premier League history.
According to The Guardian’s report on the agreement, City have struck a deal with Forest after weeks of negotiations, with Anderson now expected to undergo a medical while he remains in the United States on World Cup duty with England.
The move is not yet formally complete, but the major breakthrough has been made. Once the medical and final paperwork are completed, Anderson is expected to become the most expensive signing in Manchester City’s history.
The fee would surpass the £100 million City paid Aston Villa for Jack Grealish in 2021. It would also place Anderson among the most expensive British players ever sold.
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Forest accept after rejecting earlier bids
Forest had resisted earlier approaches, with City seeing previous offers turned down before reaching an agreement. The final package is reported to be a fixed £116 million fee rather than a structure built heavily around add-ons.
According to GOAL’s report on the transfer breakthrough, Anderson had made clear that he wanted to join City, and that preference helped move negotiations towards a conclusion.
The 23-year-old’s rise has been rapid. Forest signed him from Newcastle United two years ago, and he has since developed into one of the Premier League’s most influential young midfielders. His form also earned him a place in England’s World Cup squad, where his performances have increased his profile even further.
For Forest, the sale would represent a huge financial return. For City, it is a statement signing at the start of a new era.
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A midfield signing for City’s rebuild
Anderson’s appeal lies in his mix of energy, ball-carrying, defensive work and composure in possession. He is not a specialist holding midfielder, but he offers the kind of versatility that top clubs increasingly value.
According to NBC Sports’ analysis of Anderson’s expected move, the midfielder has been given permission to travel for a medical, with the deal still subject to final personal terms.
City’s midfield is entering a period of change. Bernardo Silva’s departure has created a gap, while other senior players face uncertain futures. Anderson is therefore being viewed not only as a signing for the future, but as someone who can compete for minutes immediately.
The move also comes as City prepare for a post-Pep Guardiola era, with Enzo Maresca widely expected to become the club’s new head coach. That makes the signing even more significant: Anderson could become one of the first major pieces in the next version of City’s midfield.
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A huge bet on an English talent
The size of the fee brings pressure. Anderson is still only 23, and a nine-figure transfer will naturally invite comparisons with other major British signings.
Yet City’s willingness to commit such a sum underlines how highly they rate him. Anderson has become a complete Premier League midfielder at a young age, and his ability to play with intensity and control makes him an attractive fit for a possession-heavy side.
For Forest, losing him will be a major sporting blow. For Anderson, the move offers a chance to compete for the biggest trophies in club football.
The transfer still needs its final formal steps, but the direction is clear. Manchester City have moved aggressively, Forest have accepted the offer, and Anderson is now close to becoming the latest English midfielder to command a record-breaking fee.
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