Manchester City have agreed a deal to sign England midfielder Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest for a reported club-record £116m, with the fee potentially rising to £130m depending on different figures. Anderson is due to have a medical and is keeping his
Manchester City’s pursuit of Elliot Anderson moved from weeks of negotiation into something more concrete—an agreed deal with Nottingham Forest that, if the figures hold, would set a club record.
The England midfielder, 23, is set to travel for a medical before completing the move to the Etihad Stadium. City sources insist the transfer fee is £116m and that it comes with no bonuses attached, a number that would be a club record for the Premier League side.
But other reporting puts the price higher. Different claims put the deal worth up to £130m. which would represent a British record fee. eclipsing the £125m Liverpool paid Newcastle for striker Alexander Isak last summer. Either way. it’s a rare kind of transfer headline—big enough to dominate both club finances and the wider market.
Forest had resisted City’s early approaches, rejecting two previous offers for Anderson. The turning point came when City returned with a third bid strong enough to get the deal over the line. Personal terms are not expected to be an issue. and there was always confidence that an agreement would come once City made that final push.
Even as the transfer details firm up, Anderson’s immediate focus remains on football’s biggest stage. He is preparing for England’s final Group G match at the World Cup against Panama on Saturday. with kick-off scheduled for 22:00 BST. This week, he told BBC Sport he has tried to keep the noise about his future pushed aside.
“It’s pretty easy really, I’m just focusing on the present, I’m blocking it all out,” he said. “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.”
For Forest, the outcome is both a conclusion and a reshaping of their summer plans. With Anderson’s exit expected, Forest are now expected to sign two midfielders this summer. Their attention includes Tottenham’s Lucas Bergvall and Davide Frattesi of Inter Milan.
The connection between what Forest were willing to accept and what City were prepared to pay has been part of the story from the beginning. Anderson’s market value rose as negotiations continued. and Forest’s insistence on holding out for a higher fee helped keep the price elevated—until the third City bid finally matched what they wanted.
Anderson’s own path to this moment is clear. He joined Forest for £35m from Newcastle in 2024 and has made 88 appearances for the club, scoring four goals. His impact has been felt across two different seasons: Forest finished seventh in the Premier League in 2024-25. then slipped to 16th last season while also reaching the Europa League semi-finals.
Now. the deal agreed between the clubs means the next chapter is close—but first. Anderson will try to make sure the last thing on his mind is not the move itself. By the time he steps toward the medical table. he may have already spent the final England group match pushing his club future firmly to the back of his mind.
Elliot Anderson Manchester City Nottingham Forest Etihad Stadium England midfielder World Cup Panama transfer deal £116m £130m Lucas Bergvall Davide Frattesi
£116m is insane… who even pays that lol
So is he still playing World Cup stuff too or did City already buy him? The article says Panama match and then the deal like same week, my head hurts.
I don’t get why they’re calling it club-record if it might be £130m? Like if bonuses push it higher then it’s the actual record, no? Also Forest rejected two offers then suddenly yes… feels like somebody blinked.
Man City really just buying England players like it’s nothing. £130m is wild, and then the thing about Isak £125m like who’s keeping track, seriously. Also he’s 23?? I swear players are younger every year.