Tuchel delays Elliot Anderson's £116m Man City move until after England's Panama clash

Elliot Anderson’s record-breaking £116m move to Manchester City is on hold at the request of England manager Thomas Tuchel, who wants his midfielder undistracted as the Three Lions prepare to face Panama in their final World Cup Group stage match on Saturday.

The 23-year-old Nottingham Forest midfielder has agreed personal terms on a five-year deal with a one-year extension option — a fee that would set a new record for a British player and surpass City’s own transfer record. Anderson was also a target for Manchester United, but the former Newcastle man made his preference clear, with City ultimately winning the race.

Tuchel is expected to permit Anderson to undergo his medical while the squad is at the tournament, but has drawn a firm line around the 48 hours before any fixture. The England boss confirmed the FA’s medical staff are available to assist, and said he would not stand in the way of players finalising transfers — provided they do not cut across match preparation.

“There has to be common sense,” Tuchel said. “I would not like it on a minus-one and a match day. That’s the policy. 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 with our schedule and our goals. The doctor is ready to take any medical if needed.”

Anderson is understood to have personally reassured Tuchel that the transfer activity would not affect his focus at the tournament. England teammate Jarell Quansah backed that assessment, saying the midfielder’s mind remains firmly on the World Cup.

“I see a player that’s fully focused on what he wants, and I think at the moment what he wants is to win a World Cup,” Quansah said. “He’s a proper focused young lad and he’ll go right to the top I think.”

Anderson may be cleared to complete the medical ahead of England’s knockout fixtures, should Tuchel’s side progress beyond the group stage as expected.