Man City agree £116m fee for Elliot Anderson as medical waits on England's World Cup run

Manchester City have agreed a £116m fee with Nottingham Forest for Elliot Anderson, with the midfielder set to undergo his medical in the coming days once England’s group-stage commitments at the 2026 World Cup are fulfilled.

Anderson has started both of England’s opening group games and remains central to Thomas Tuchel’s plans for the tournament. England are due to fly into New York on Friday ahead of their third group match against Panama, and no medical is scheduled before that fixture. City are content to wait, with the group stage concluding on Saturday.

Depending on how England progress, the timeline could extend further. A round-of-32 tie on Wednesday awaits if Tuchel’s side top the group, with Thursday or Friday slots possible for second or third-place finishers respectively. City have indicated they are in no hurry, having already secured the key breakthrough of agreeing a fee with Forest.

Tuchel addressed the issue of transfers during tournaments in a recent press conference, calling for pragmatism from all parties. “There has to be common sense, I would say — I would not like it on a minus-one and a matchday. That’s the policy,” he said. “And everything else, if it is quietly done, privately done, done efficiently, we are always happy to help to have clarity around the player. If anyone has the chance to complete a change of club and a transfer, we will not stand in the way, but it has to align, of course, with our schedule and our goals.”

If the £116m fee is confirmed, the deal would represent a record-breaking sale for Nottingham Forest. Anderson joined Forest from Newcastle United in 2024 and has developed into one of the more dynamic central midfielders in the Premier League, earning his place in England’s World Cup squad on the back of consistent club performances.

City’s willingness to accommodate the international schedule reflects a broader approach from the club, who are prioritising a smooth transition over speed of completion now that the financial terms are settled.