Manchester City have reached an agreement with Nottingham Forest for the transfer of midfielder Elliot Anderson. The deal is reported to be for a club-record fee of £116m. Anderson, who is 23 years old, is expected to undergo a medical examination before finalising his move to the Etihad Stadium.
Sources close to Manchester City have confirmed the fee for Anderson as £116m, stating that no additional bonuses are attached to the agreement. This figure would establish a new club record for Manchester City. However, other reports suggest the deal could be valued at up to £130m, which would set a new British record, surpassing the £125m reportedly paid by Liverpool for striker Alexander Isak last summer.
Nottingham Forest had previously rejected two offers from Manchester City for Anderson, holding out for a higher transfer fee. Personal terms for the player are not anticipated to pose any issues, and there was a consistent level of confidence that the transfer would eventually be completed once Manchester City submitted a third bid.
Anderson’s International Duty and Club History
Anderson is currently with the England squad, preparing for their final Group L match against Panama in the World Cup. He has publicly stated his focus remains on his international commitments, pushing his club future to one side. He mentioned having a plan to perform for England and putting himself in the best position to achieve that goal.
Anderson’s journey to this significant transfer began when he joined his boyhood club, Newcastle, at the age of eight. He made his first-team debut for Newcastle in 2021, going on to make 55 appearances for the club. His move to Nottingham Forest in 2024 for £35m was reportedly influenced by Newcastle’s concerns about breaching profit and sustainability rules (PSR), which could have led to a points deduction.
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe described Anderson’s sale as “the most reluctant in my career,” highlighting the quality of the player and the difficult circumstances surrounding his departure from the club. Newcastle will not receive any further financial benefit from Anderson’s transfer to Manchester City.
At Nottingham Forest, Anderson quickly became a regular starter. He made 88 appearances for the club, scoring four goals. He played a crucial role in helping Forest achieve a seventh-place finish in the Premier League during the 2024-25 season. The following season, Forest finished 16th in the league and reached the semi-finals of the Europa League.
Anderson’s international career also saw a significant development. After representing Scotland at youth level, he switched to England’s under-21s in August 2024. He then made his senior debut for England in September 2025 and has since earned 11 caps, becoming a regular in Thomas Tuchel’s England side. He started England’s opening two World Cup matches against Croatia and Ghana.
Impact and Future Plans for Forest
Anderson’s influence at Nottingham Forest was particularly evident during the 2025-26 season. He recorded the most touches in the Premier League with 3,300, won possession the most times with 306, won the most duels with 297, and drew the most fouls with 80. His goal tally for the season doubled from two to four, though his Premier League assists decreased from six to four.
With Anderson’s impending departure, Nottingham Forest are now expected to sign two midfielders this summer. The club has shown interest in Tottenham’s Lucas Bergvall, with talks reportedly held over a potential £45m move. Forest are also interested in Davide Frattesi of Inter Milan as they look to strengthen their midfield options.
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Source: bbc.co.uk
As NewsGB.org's Sports News Writer, Theo Marsden reports on rugby union, golf and boxing for readers across the country. He began on a regional sports desk in Yorkshire. He holds a degree in Journalism from the University of Hull and completed an NCTJ diploma. Theo lives in Hull, where he follows the European Tour and amateur rugby. “Sport moves fast; readers deserve it right the first time.”