Manchester City agree club-record £116m deal for England midfielder Elliot Anderson

The deal

Manchester City have agreed a club-record fee for Nottingham Forest and England midfielder Elliot Anderson. The BBC and Press Association reported on Thursday that City will pay £116 million up front, with the total potentially reaching £130 million ($171.5 million) including add-ons. The deal, which contains no performance-related bonuses according to The Telegraph, would make Anderson the most expensive signing in City's history, surpassing the £100 million paid for Jack Grealish in 2021.

Forest had rejected two earlier offers from City before accepting the improved bid. The 23-year-old is expected to undergo a medical in the United States, where he is currently with the England squad at the 2026 World Cup. The move could be officially confirmed before the tournament ends.

Anderson's rapid rise

Anderson joined Forest from Newcastle United in 2024 for £35 million. He made 38 Premier League appearances last season, scoring four goals and providing four assists, and was instrumental in helping the club avoid relegation to a 16th-place finish. Across his Forest career he has played 92 matches, netting six times and registering 11 assists.

England manager Thomas Tuchel has described him as a complete player. Anderson, who represented Scotland at youth level before switching allegiance, has earned 11 senior caps for England.

“I have one objective: to perform with England. I'm doing everything to put myself in the best possible conditions to achieve that.”

World Cup form

Anderson has started both of England's Group L matches at the World Cup, a 4-2 win over Croatia and a goalless draw with Ghana. He provided an assist in the Croatia victory. England, already top of the group, face Panama in New Jersey on Saturday and are close to securing a place in the last 32.

Tuchel on transfers during a tournament

Tuchel addressed the challenge of players completing moves while on international duty, stressing the need for discretion.

“It's about common sense. I would not like it on the day before a match, or on a matchday, that's the policy. If it's done privately, efficiently and quietly, then we are always happy to help. It helps to have clarity around any player.”

A new British record

The fee surpasses the previous British record of £125 million, set last summer when Liverpool signed Alexander Isak from Newcastle. City's outlay also resets their own club benchmark, coming in a summer of transition after Pep Guardiola's departure. City finished second to Arsenal in the Premier League last season but won both the FA Cup and League Cup.

Grealish to Man City (2021)100

Isak to Liverpool (2025)125

Anderson to Man City (2026)116

Grealish to Man City (2021)

100 £m

Isak to Liverpool (2025)

125 £m

Anderson to Man City (2026)

116 £m

Data from the article text