Manchester City Break Club Transfer Record With £116m Agreement To Sign Elliot Anderson From Nottingham Forest

Manchester City are reportedly set to make Elliot Anderson the most expensive signing in their history, with the Premier League club having agreed a £116 million deal with Nottingham Forest for the 23-year-old England international midfielder, according to reports.

The agreement brings an end to a protracted negotiation process after Forest initially rejected two separate bids from City. Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis had originally sought a fee comparable to the £125 million Liverpool paid Newcastle United last summer, before eventually accepting the reported £116 million package. Manchester United were also said to have registered interest in Anderson, but City successfully fended off that rival pursuit to secure their primary midfield target.

Anderson is currently representing England at the 2026 FIFA World Cup and has been granted permission to undertake his medical examinations in the United States within the next 24 hours while remaining on international duty. The midfielder has featured prominently for manager Thomas Tuchel‘s side, earning a starting role in England’s opening group-stage fixtures.

Should the deal be formally completed, Anderson will surpass Jack Grealish’s £100 million move from Aston Villa in August 2021 as the largest transfer fee Manchester City have ever paid. The acquisition is widely interpreted as a signal of the club’s intent as they navigate the transition following Pep Guardiola’s departure after his decade-long tenure at the Etihad Stadium.

Anderson’s reported valuation is underpinned by an impressive statistical record across two seasons at the City Ground with Nottingham Forest. During the 2025/26 Premier League campaign, he ranked first in ground duels won and recorded 306 possessions won across the season. He was also among only seven players in the division to complete more than 2,000 open-play passes, reflecting his dual capacity as both a ball-progressor and a defensive presence in midfield.

In total, Anderson made 92 appearances for Forest across all competitions during his two seasons at the club, having previously come through the academy at Newcastle United before his move to the City Ground.

The reported fee places Anderson among the most expensive midfielders in football history and represents a significant financial commitment from City as they look to reshape their squad under new management. The club’s ambition in this window will be further tested as the summer transfer market develops, with several other positions also reportedly under review.