Man City complete signing of Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest

Manchester City have completed the signing of Nottingham Forest midfielder Eliot Anderson on Thursday for a record-breaking fee in the region of £116 million, excluding add-ons.

Forest permitted the England midfielder to undergo a medical on Thursday, last week, while on national duty with the Three Lions in the US for the FIFA World Cup.

He has started all four games so far, including England’s laboured 2-1 victory against DR Congo on Wednesday in the knockout phase.

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Anderson’s fee will become a club record signing by the Cityzens, breaking their own record after the signing of fellow Englishman Jack Grealish, who was signed for £100 million under Pep Guardiola.

City finally landed their man after an initial offer in June by City for Anderson was rejected by Forest. However, a confirmation of a deal ends a rather short round of talks between all parties for the player’s signature.

The 23-year-old remains under contract at the Midlands club until 2029, but had been identified as City’s leading midfield target this summer.

Current City manager Enzo Maresca was keen to wrap up the deal early, avoiding the risk of a late transfer tug-of-war with rival suitors, making him his first signing under his fresh tenure.

The English international will join City on a five-year contract with an option for a further 12 months, and is expected to earn about £300, 000 per week over the duration of his contract, including bonuses.

Amongst a quartet of elite midfielder options, including Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali, Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton and Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, Anderson emerged as one of the Premier League’s best central midfielders last season.

The former Newcastle and Everton man will move to the Etihad Stadium as City’s most expensive buy since the Saudi takeover more than a decade ago, and historically, the most expensive British transfer.

Anderson underwent a successful medical procedure on Sunday in the United States, as the midfield star continues his dream debut with the Three Lions in the 2026 World Cup under Thomas Tuchel.

Anderson’s transfer fee surpasses the £115m Real Madrid paid for Jude Bellingham when they signed him from Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2023.

City said in a statement: “Manchester City and Nottingham Forest have reached an agreement for the transfer of Elliot Anderson.

“Anderson, 23, 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.”

Only Liverpool’s £125 million spend on Alexander Isak and £116.5m deals on Florian Wirtz last summer were more expensive incoming transfers in Premier League history.

Anderson featured in every Premier League game for Forest last season, making 37 starts, scoring four goals and recording four assists. 

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