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

Manchester City have confirmed the signing of Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest for a club-record fee of £116million, with the 23-year-old England midfielder penning a five-year contract at the Etihad Stadium.

The straight fee surpasses the £100million City paid Aston Villa for Jack Grealish in 2021, making Anderson the most expensive player in the club’s history. City struck a deal with Forest last month, and Anderson was granted permission by the FA to undergo a medical in New York last week while on World Cup duty with England.

Anderson is manager Enzo Maresca’s second summer signing, following the arrival of Mathys Detourbet from sister club Troyes. His addition is expected to bolster City’s midfield options after Bernardo Silva’s departure.

The Newcastle-born midfielder joined Nottingham Forest for £35million from Newcastle United in 2024 and made 92 appearances for the City Ground club, contributing six goals and 11 assists. He helped Forest finish seventh in the Premier League in 2024/25 and was part of the squad that reached the Europa League the following season.

Anderson’s performances last season made him one of the most sought-after players in European football, attracting interest from Manchester United among others. However, United were unwilling to meet the asking price set by Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis, leaving City to secure the deal.

With Anderson currently preparing for England’s last-16 World Cup clash against Mexico — having started in midfield as Harry Kane’s two goals in the final 15 minutes rescued a 2-1 win over DR Congo in Atlanta — he is unlikely to join City’s summer tour to Asia. His club debut could come in the Community Shield against Arsenal at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on Sunday, 16 August.

England manager Thomas Tuchel has been effusive in his praise of the midfielder ahead of the tournament. “He’s a top player. There’s nothing more to say, he’s the full package,” Tuchel said. “I’m happy that he’s with us on that kind of level and he’s a key player for us.”

Anderson, who was part of the England squad that won the 2025 Under-21 European Championship, has played down the impact of transfer speculation during the tournament. “It’s pretty easy really, I’m just focusing on the present, I’m blocking it all out,” he said last week. “I’ve got a plan and it’s to perform for England. I’m putting myself in the best position to cross the line and do that.”