Manchester City seal £116m Elliot Anderson deal as fans question his value

Manchester City have agreed a £116m fee with Nottingham Forest for midfielder Elliot Anderson, securing a deal on Thursday night that sets a new British transfer record for the 23-year-old England international.

The figure represents a remarkable rise in Anderson’s valuation — Forest paid just £35m for him two years ago when he left Newcastle United — and reflects what City regard as his rapid development into one of the most sought-after midfielders in English football. Manchester United were among the clubs monitoring Anderson, but City were always his preferred destination.

Despite the club’s confidence in the deal, a poll conducted by the Manchester Evening News suggests City supporters are not entirely convinced by the price tag. An overwhelming 67% of fans who voted believe Anderson is worth between £80m and £100m — below the agreed fee. A further 23% placed his value in the £100m–£120m bracket, which is where the £116m figure sits, while just 10% felt he was worth more than £120m.

The results indicate Anderson will face some pressure to justify his cost from the moment he arrives at the Etihad. City fans will be watching closely to see whether the midfielder can make an immediate impact as the club look to reclaim the Premier League title.

Anderson will also have the opportunity to raise his profile on the international stage, with England set to compete at this summer’s World Cup — a tournament in which a strong showing could go a long way toward silencing any doubters about his valuation.

With the financial terms between the two clubs now settled, attention is expected to turn to the finer details of the personal agreement before the transfer is formally completed.