Manchester City have agreed to pay Nottingham Forest £116 million to sign England midfielder Elliot Anderson [1].
The move represents a significant investment in homegrown talent as the club seeks to bolster its midfield with one of the country's most promising players. The deal would break Manchester City's previous transfer record of £100 million paid for Jack Grealish in 2021 [2].
Reports indicate the agreement was reached on Thursday night, June 25, 2026 [3]. The fee, which converts to approximately $153 million [2], marks a substantial windfall for Nottingham Forest. Sources said the midfielder is expected to undergo a medical examination in the U.S. before the transfer is finalized [4].
There is some discrepancy regarding the historical standing of the fee. The New York Times said the amount is the most ever paid for a British player [2]. However, the Mirror said the deal falls just short of the overall British record [5].
City officials aim to secure a top British talent to maintain their competitive edge in the Premier League [6]. Anderson's rise at Nottingham Forest has made him a primary target for the Manchester side, which has consistently targeted high-value domestic assets to strengthen its squad depth.
The transfer follows a period of intense speculation regarding Anderson's future. While other clubs were linked to the player, the agreement between City and Forest on Thursday night effectively ended the bidding process [3].
“Manchester City have agreed to pay Nottingham Forest £116 million to sign Elliot Anderson.”
This transfer signals a shift in Manchester City's recruitment strategy toward record-breaking spending on domestic talent. By surpassing the previous benchmark set by Jack Grealish, the club is not only addressing a tactical need in midfield but also inflating the market value for English players, which may increase the cost of future domestic acquisitions for other Premier League teams.
