Manchester City has reached an agreement to sign Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest in a deal valued at £116m. This transfer is set to make Anderson the most expensive British player, surpassing the fee paid for Alexander Isak‘s move from Newcastle United to Liverpool last summer, according to some reports. The fee for Anderson also represents a new record for Manchester City, exceeding the £100m they previously paid for Jack Grealish in 2021.
Anderson is expected to sign a five-year contract with Manchester City, which could include an option to extend for an additional 12 months. If all bonuses are met, the deal could be worth around £300,000 per week. He has been granted permission to undergo a medical in New York, as he is currently with the England squad participating in the World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The midfielder’s journey began with his debut for Newcastle United in an FA Cup match against Arsenal in January 2021. He made 55 appearances for Newcastle across all competitions before joining Bristol Rovers on loan. During his time at Bristol Rovers, he played a crucial role in their promotion to League One, with former Republic of Ireland international Glenn Whelan noting his immediate impact and confidence.
Anderson’s impact and development
Elliot Anderson‘s progress has been significant, particularly during his time at Nottingham Forest, where he established himself as a key midfielder. He joined Forest from Newcastle in 2024. Since then, Anderson has made 92 appearances for Forest, including playing in every league game during the 2025-26 season, contributing four goals and four assists.
His performance statistics for the 2025-26 season highlight his value. Anderson recorded the most touches in the Premier League with 3,300, won possession more times than any other player with 306, and also won the most duels with 297. Additionally, he drew the most fouls, with 80. These numbers underscore his combative style and ability to influence play.
At Forest, Anderson started all but one of the league games and came on as a substitute in the other, accumulating 3,334 minutes out of a possible 3,420. This demonstrates his consistent availability and fitness, a trait that will be important for Manchester City as they compete in four competitions. His ability to adapt to different tactical demands was evident during his time at Forest, where he played under four head coaches in eight months.
Future at Manchester City
Anderson is expected to begin next season under the leadership of incoming coach Enzo Maresca. His versatility, being able to play as a No. 6, No. 8, or No. 10, is seen as a key asset that justifies the significant transfer fee. His ability to progress play, make passes into the box, and his tenacity out of possession align with Manchester City‘s playing style.
The acquisition of Anderson comes as Manchester City has seen several senior players depart over the past two summers, including Kevin De Bruyne, Kyle Walker, Ilkay Gündogan, and Bernardo Silva. Anderson’s dedication and work ethic are expected to set an example within the club’s increasingly young squad. He made his England debut in September and has started both of his country’s World Cup games against Croatia and Ghana, and is likely to start again against Panama on Saturday.
His former coach, Glenn Whelan, believes that “the sky is the limit” for Anderson, predicting that top teams globally will be watching his performances. Nottingham Forest, meanwhile, had reportedly been seeking a higher fixed fee for Anderson, exceeding the £125m British record. The club had previously rejected an initial offer from Manchester City earlier in the month.
The transfer represents a substantial profit for Nottingham Forest, who acquired Anderson for a fee. This profit is expected to aid Forest in their pursuit of Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Lucas Bergvall, whom they have identified as a potential replacement for Anderson. Anderson has been given permission to undertake a medical in New York.
Source: bbc.co.uk