Manchester City close in on £116m Anderson as Detourbet signing confirmed for £21.5m

Manchester City are pressing ahead with a major summer rebuild, agreeing a £116m deal with Nottingham Forest for Elliot Anderson while separately confirming the £21.5m signing of teenage midfielder Mathys Detourbet from Troyes.

Anderson, 23, moved closer to completing his move to the Etihad after passing a medical in Kansas during England’s 2026 World Cup campaign. The midfielder made his third appearance of the tournament in England’s 2-0 win over Panama before returning to the squad’s base for the checks. Finalisation of the deal has been temporarily paused to allow Anderson to continue his international duties, with England facing Congo DR in the last 32.

On the same day, City announced the arrival of Detourbet, a 19-year-old French midfielder who joins from Troyes — a club within the same ownership group as City. The Manchester Evening News understands Detourbet has signed a five-year contract at the Etihad and is expected to spend the 2026/27 season on loan at Monaco.

Both moves are being made without a permanent head coach in place. Pep Guardiola departed at the end of last season, and former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca is expected to be confirmed as his successor, though no official announcement has been made. City’s pre-season tour is only weeks away, adding urgency to the managerial appointment.

The double transfer activity signals that City’s hierarchy are determined to maintain their competitive edge despite the upheaval of losing Guardiola, who oversaw an era of unprecedented domestic and European success at the club. Anderson, in particular, represents a significant statement of intent — a nine-figure outlay on a player still in the early stages of his international career.