Elliot Anderson will undergo a medical in New York on Friday after Manchester City agreed a £116m deal with Nottingham Forest for the England midfielder — a club record fee for the Premier League champions.
City sources insist the fee for the 23-year-old is £116m with no bonuses attached, though other sources claim the deal could be worth up to £130m, which would eclipse the £125m Liverpool paid Newcastle for Alexander Isak last summer. Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis had insisted any transfer for Anderson would have to surpass that British record.
“Manchester City agree £116m club-record deal for England midfielder Elliot Anderson, who will have a medical in New York.”
Anderson, who has started both of England’s World Cup games against Croatia and Ghana, is preparing for Saturday’s final Group L match against Panama. “It’s pretty easy really, I’m just focusing on the present, I’m blocking it all out,” he told BBC Sport. “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.”
City had two previous offers for Anderson rejected before the third bid proved acceptable. Personal terms are not expected to be an issue, and the midfielder has always preferred a move to the Etihad over Manchester United, who were also interested.
Anderson joined Forest from Newcastle for £35m in 2024 — a sale forced on the Magpies by profit and sustainability rules. Newcastle manager Eddie Howe called it “the most reluctant transfer I’ll ever do, because we knew the quality of the player.”
At Forest, Anderson made 88 appearances, scoring four goals, and helped the club finish seventh in the Premier League in 2024-25 and reach the Europa League semi-finals last season. His influence grew markedly: last season he had the most touches in the Premier League (3,300), won possession the most times (306), won the most duels (297) and drew the most fouls (80).
Forest are now expected to sign two midfielders this summer, with Tottenham’s Lucas Bergvall a target. Talks have been held over a potential £45m move for the Sweden international.
Anderson’s move represents City’s first major signing since the departure of manager Pep Guardiola, with Enzo Maresca expected to take over. City also face the prospect of losing Rodri, now 30, who has been linked with Real Madrid. Anderson, with 11 England caps, is seen as a key part of City’s transition.