Manchester City have signed England midfielder Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest in a deal reported to be the most expensive involving a British player, the clubs confirmed on 2 July.
Financial details were not disclosed, but British media reported the total package could reach £116 million, surpassing the up to £115 million Real Madrid paid Borussia Dortmund for Jude Bellingham in 2023. The move also makes Anderson City’s most expensive signing, eclipsing the £100 million spent on winger Jack Grealish from Aston Villa in 2021.
Anderson, 23, is currently with England at the World Cup and has already completed a medical in Kansas, with the formalities of the move to be finalised once he returns home. “Anderson 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,” City said in a statement.
A product of Newcastle United’s academy, Anderson joined Forest for £35 million in 2024 and went on to make 92 appearances in all competitions, scoring six goals and providing 11 assists. He has built a reputation as a high energy, tactically astute midfielder, blending defensive discipline with an ability to contribute further up the pitch, underpinned by relentless pressing, strong ball recovery and a high volume of progressive passing and carrying.
He joins a Manchester City midfield already stocked with quality, including Rodri, Nico Gonzalez, Mateo Kovacic, Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Cherki, Matheus Nunes and fellow Englishman Phil Foden.
The signing comes as City prepare to enter a new era under former Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca, following Pep Guardiola’s departure after a decade of sustained success at the club. City finished as runners-up to Arsenal in the Premier League last season
