Manchester City Close In on Elliot Anderson
Nottingham Forest has agreed to a deal worth £116m to transfer Elliot Anderson to Manchester City in the summer. This is the highest-paid move for a British player in football history and one of the best ever in Nottingham Forest's history, earning over £100m profit from the deal, reports Fabrizio Romano.
Transfer Fee Dispute Continues
According to TalkSport, however, an agreement in principle has been reached, but there is still a dispute between the clubs over the transfer fee. Nottingham Forest still demands a total package worth £130m, which will break the British transfer record of £125m paid by Liverpool last summer to sign Isak from Newcastle United, but City insists on a fixed package below £125m.
The dispute is expected to be resolved very soon, and the player's medicals are set to happen in New York.
From £15m Signing to £100m Profit
Anderson joined Nottingham Forest in 2024 from Newcastle [for a reported fee around £15m,(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elliot_Anderson_(footballer)) since then, he has become a consistent player in the midfield for Forest. In the last two seasons he was considered one of the best midfielders in the Premier League and even received his first-ever call-up to the English national team.
Why Manchester City Want Anderson
The midfielder’s 2025-26 Premier League season is noteworthy. His influence was reflected in the numbers, as he led the league with 3,300 touches while also topping the charts for duels won (297), fouls won (80), and possessions won (306). He finished the campaign as the league leader in touches (3,300), duels won (297), fouls won (80), and possessions won (306).
He is an excellent ball carrier to attack and can deliver accurate passes to the team's attacking third. Anderson’s balance and maturity in possessional and non-possessional situations attracted interest from top clubs in the Premier League, including Manchester United and Manchester City.
Manchester United was interested in the player but backed off due to the price and focused on signing Mateus Fernandes, which Spurs may also block. Anderson was a target of Pep Guardiola; following departure, new manager Enzo Maresca also wanted the player on his new team.
City's Long-Term Midfield Plan
The 23-year-old is a long-term signing for Manchester City to anchor their midfield following the departure of Bernardo Silva and Rodri's contract, which is set to expire next summer.
He has become a trusted midfield general under Thomas Tuchel in England. He has been a standout player in the last two matches of the team in the World Cup, which showcased his class yet again.
The player will join Manchester City after the World Cup campaign with the English national team.