Manchester City sign Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest in £116m club-record deal

Manchester City have agreed a club-record £116million deal to sign Nottingham Forest and England midfielder Elliot Anderson, with the 23-year-old set to undergo a medical and finalise personal terms once his World Cup duties allow.

City made Anderson their primary midfield target this summer and, after weeks of negotiations with Forest, a breakthrough was reached. The fee surpasses any previous transfer outlay in the club’s history, underlining how highly Pep Guardiola’s side rate the young Englishman.

Anderson is currently on international duty with England at the World Cup. The Three Lions face Panama on Saturday, and the medical is not expected to take place before that fixture. City are understood to be relaxed about the timeline, content to let Anderson and the England camp dictate the schedule so as to cause minimal disruption to the tournament.

England teammate Jarell Quansah offered a warm endorsement of the deal, expressing confidence that Anderson’s focus remains firmly on the World Cup for now. “Obviously I’m not in his head or whatnot, but I’m sure he is fully focused on winning the World Cup for England,” Quansah said. “He knows that. But he’s a proper focused young lad and he’ll go right to the top, I think.”

Once the deal is formalised, Anderson will link up with his new City teammates later in the summer. As with other World Cup participants in the squad, he will be given additional rest, with the precise timing of his integration depending on how far England progress in the tournament.

Anderson may not be the only midfield addition City make this window. The club have also registered an interest in Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali and are monitoring further targets as they look to reinforce the centre of the pitch ahead of next season.