Manchester City has reportedly agreed a club-record deal with Nottingham Forest to sign England midfielder Elliot Anderson, in a move that could see the transfer fee reach a British record. The 23-year-old is expected to undergo a medical before finalising his switch to the Etihad Stadium.
City sources indicate the agreed fee stands at £116m, a figure they insist includes no bonuses and would mark a new club record for the reigning Premier League champions. However, other reports suggest the deal could be worth up to £130m, which would surpass the current British record of £125m, paid by Liverpool to Newcastle for striker Alexander Isak last summer.
Anderson is currently with the England squad, preparing for their final World Cup Group L fixture against Panama on Saturday (22:00 BST). Despite the intense speculation surrounding his club future, the midfielder has remained focused on international duty.
“It’s pretty easy really, I’m just focusing on the present, I’m blocking it all out,” Anderson told BBC Sport when asked about the transfer. He added, “I’ve got a plan and it’s to perform for England. I’m putting myself in the best position to cross the line and do that.”
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The rising star’s journey to the Etihad
Anderson’s path to a potential record-breaking transfer has been rapid. He joined his boyhood club Newcastle at the age of eight, making 55 appearances for the senior team after his debut in 2021. His £35m move to Nottingham Forest in 2024 was reportedly forced on Newcastle due to concerns over profit and sustainability rules.
At Forest, Anderson quickly established himself, making 88 appearances and scoring four goals. He played a pivotal role in the 2024-25 season, helping Forest secure a seventh-place finish in the Premier League, a significant improvement from their 16th-place finish the previous season. He also contributed to their run to the Europa League semi-finals.
His impressive performances in the 2025-26 season highlighted his growing influence:
- Most touches in the Premier League (3,300)
- Most possessions won (306)
- Most duels won (297)
- Most fouls drawn (80)
While his goal tally doubled from two to four in 2025-26, his Premier League assists saw a slight dip from six to four.
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Forest’s search for a replacement
Nottingham Forest had previously rejected two offers from Manchester City for Anderson. With his imminent departure, the club is now expected to actively pursue two new midfielders this summer. Tottenham’s Lucas Bergvall and Inter Milan’s Davide Frattesi are reportedly among their targets as they look to reinvest the substantial transfer fee.
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