Manchester City agrees record-breaking transfer for midfielder Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest

The deal

Manchester City and Nottingham Forest confirmed on Thursday that an agreement has been reached for the transfer of 23-year-old midfielder Elliot Anderson. The formal transfer will be completed after the World Cup, with the player having already undergone a medical in Kansas City, United States.

Manchester City and Nottingham Forest have reached an agreement for the transfer of Elliot Anderson. Elliot, 23, is currently competing in the FIFA World Cup with England and has now completed his medical in Kansas. Everyone at Manchester City wishes Elliot and the England team the best of luck in their World Cup campaign, and we look forward to welcoming him to Manchester in due course.

A record fee

The transfer fee has been widely reported as a record for both the club and for a British player. Figures differ across sources: Spanish outlets La Vanguardia and Blick cite €135 million, while 20 Minutos and Europa Press report up to €150 million (approximately £130 million). British agency Press Association suggests the amount may be below the £125 million Liverpool paid Newcastle for Alexander Isak last year. All accounts agree it surpasses the previous City record of €117.5 million (£100 million) paid for Jack Grealish in 2021.

The deal also eclipses the €120 million Arsenal paid for Declan Rice and, according to Reuters via Ziare.com, the up-to-£115 million Real Madrid agreed for Jude Bellingham in 2023, making it the most expensive British footballer transfer in history if the higher estimates hold.

Manchester United interest and tough negotiations

Manchester United’s own pursuit of Anderson intensified competition, forcing City into weeks of negotiations with Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis. The player’s contract runs until 2029, and Forest were reluctant to sell, further driving up the price.

Anderson’s rapid rise

Anderson progressed through Newcastle United’s academy before moving to Forest for £35 million in 2024. In two seasons he made 92 appearances (some sources say 96), scored six goals, and provided 11 assists. His performances helped Forest reach the Europa League semi-finals, and he became a fixture in the England team under Thomas Tuchel. Anderson has started all four of England’s matches at the ongoing 2026 World Cup, with the team set for a quarter-final against Mexico on Saturday. He won the European Under-21 Championship in 2025.

Anderson is regarded as an energetic and tactically sound midfielder, known for his industry, strong pressing and ball recovery, as well as high passing accuracy.

New era under Maresca

The transfer marks the first major signing of the post-Pep Guardiola era at the Etihad. Enzo Maresca, appointed this week as Guardiola’s successor, will inherit a midfield losing veterans like Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan, with Rodri’s future also uncertain. Anderson joins a midfield group that already includes Nico Gonzalez, Mateo Kovacic, Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Cherki, Matheus Nunes and Phil Foden.