Manchester City have reached an agreement to sign 23-year-old midfielder Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest for a club-record £116 million. The deal, confirmed on July 2, 2026, makes Anderson the most expensive British player in history, with formalities to be finalized after he completes his current FIFA World Cup campaign with England.
The transfer represents a massive financial leap for the midfielder, who joined Nottingham Forest from Newcastle United in 2024 for a reported £35 million. According to the Mirror, the 23-year-old will sign a five-year contract at the Etihad, arriving as the second summer signing for new manager Enzo Maresca.
Breaking the British Transfer Record
At £116 million, the straight fee paid for Anderson eclipses several previous benchmarks for English talent. As si.com reported, the deal is worth £1 million more than the total package Real Madrid committed to Jude Bellingham, which included add-ons that could reach £115 million.
The move also surpasses the £105 million Arsenal paid for Declan Rice in 2023 and the estimated £104 million total package for Harry Kane’s 2023 move to Bayern Munich. While it is a club record for City, it narrowly misses the overall Premier League record of £125 million paid by Liverpool for Alexander Isak.
| Player | Club | Year | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elliot Anderson | Man City | 2026 | £116 million |
| Jude Bellingham | Real Madrid | 2023 | £115 million* |
| Declan Rice | Arsenal | 2023 | £105 million* |
| Harry Kane | Bayern Munich | 2023 | £104 million* |
| Jack Grealish | Man City | 2021 | £100 million |
| Gareth Bale | Real Madrid | 2013 | £85.3 million |
Midfield Restructuring Under Enzo Maresca
City’s aggressive pursuit of Anderson follows the departure of long-time stalwart Bernardo Silva, who recently joined Real Madrid after his contract expired. tsn.ca suggests Anderson may be viewed as a long-term successor to Rodri, whose career has been hampered by injuries over the last two years.
The move is a strategic fit for Maresca’s new era. Anderson’s versatility is highlighted as a major asset, and his recent form at Forest was substantial; TEAMtalk reports he recorded four goals and four assists in 37 Premier League starts during the 2025/26 season, ranking among the league’s top five for tackles and passes.
World Cup Commitments and Medical Timeline
The transfer process has been coordinated around Anderson’s role with the England national team in North America. While the Mirror noted he received FA permission to undergo a medical in New York last week, the club’s official statement specifies the medical took place in Kansas.
“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.”
Official Statement, Manchester City
Anderson has started all four of England’s matches in the tournament so far. He recently helped the Three Lions secure a 2-1 victory over DR Congo in Atlanta.
Forest’s Profit and Market Competition
Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis leveraged high demand to secure the record fee. The Mirror reported that Manchester United was also keen on the midfielder, but United officials were unwilling to meet the specific valuation demanded by Marinakis.
This sale provides Forest with a massive return on their 2024 investment. Having acquired Anderson from a Newcastle United side under financial pressure to balance its books, Forest have now turned a £35 million purchase into a £116 million sale.
The Rico Lewis Exit Strategy
As Anderson arrives, other players may be leaving. TEAMtalk sources indicate that City are poised to sanction the sale of 21-year-old defender Rico Lewis. Lewis struggled for minutes during the 2025/26 campaign, starting only three Premier League games.
Nottingham Forest—now flush with cash from the Anderson deal—is among the clubs interested in Lewis, though City has already turned down one offer. The club currently values Lewis at £35 million, with Everton, Newcastle, and several other Premier League sides also in the mix.
With Anderson unlikely to join City’s summer tour of Asia due to the World Cup, his competitive debut is expected to occur on August 16 at the Community Shield against Arsenal in Cardiff. Whether he can immediately adapt to the pressure of his record-breaking price tag remains the primary question as he transitions from the international stage to the Etihad.
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