Manchester City Agree Record Transfer For Elliot Anderson From Nottingham Forest

Manchester City have reached an agreement to sign Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest in a transfer that will reportedly set a new record for a British player, with the midfielder currently starring for England at the FIFA World Cup and emerging as a central figure in Thomas Tuchel’s tournament plans.

The move is expected to cost Manchester City 116m including add-ons, overtaking the 115m that Real Madrid paid Borussia Dortmund for Jude Bellingham in 2023, and Anderson’s deal now ranks as the third-costliest incoming transfer in Premier League history, behind Liverpool’s signings of Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz last year.

City turned to Elliot Anderson after confirming Bernardo Silva would leave as a free agent for Real Madrid, while fellow midfielder Rodri remains linked with the same club as the Spain international enters the final 12 months of the current contract, increasing the need for fresh energy in Manchester City’s central areas.

In a statement released on Thursday, City said: “Anderson is currently competing at the FIFA World Cup with England and has completed a medical in Kansas. The formalities of the move will be finalised upon his return to England. In the meantime, everyone at Manchester City wishes Elliot and the England squad the very best of luck in their World Cup campaign and we look forward to welcoming him to Manchester in due course.”

Anderson’s rise has been underlined by the role with England at the World Cup, where Anderson has started all four matches for the Three Lions; only Ezri Konsa with 360 minutes and Harry Kane with 354 minutes have played more outfield minutes for England than Anderson’s 338 at the tournament so far.

That international status followed two strong domestic seasons at Nottingham Forest after leaving Newcastle United, where Anderson came through the academy system before moving to the City Ground in 2024; Forest finished seventh in the Premier League in 2024-25 and then reached the Europa League semi-finals in 2025-26, eventually losing to Aston Villa.

Forest struggled more in the 2025-26 league campaign and ended in 16th place, yet Anderson continued to stand out; across the Premier League season Anderson recorded the most touches with 3,300, the most possession regains with 306, the most duels won with 297 and the most fouls won with 80 of any player in the competition.

Overall, Anderson made 88 appearances for Nottingham Forest in all competitions, becoming a key figure in midfield and turning those displays into a regular spot in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad plans, with the current World Cup campaign confirming Anderson’s importance at international level as well as club level.

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The scale of Manchester City’s agreement with Forest was reflected in a statement from the selling club, which read: “Nottingham Forest can confirm that an agreement has been reached with Manchester City for the transfer of Elliot Anderson. The necessary formalities will be completed in due course, allowing Elliot’s full focus to remain on representing England at the FIFA World Cup. The Club pic.twitter.com/sxcWLBL4UaNottingham Forest (@NFFC) July 2, 2026“

With the medical already completed in Kansas and only paperwork left to finish after the World Cup, Manchester City are set to add a high-usage midfielder who has delivered elite Premier League numbers, a strong European run and consistent international performances, while Nottingham Forest lose a central influence after two demanding but successful seasons.