England secure record Anderson transfer to Manchester City
PUBLISHED Jul 2, 2026, 10:39 AM ET
Read, Watch or Listen
LONDON, July 2 (Reuters) - England midfielder Elliot Anderson has joined Manchester City from Premier League rivals Nottingham Forest in a deal reported to be worth up to £116 million ($153 million), making it the most expensive transfer for a British player. The fee, which the clubs did not officially disclose, is reported by British media to surpass the package of up to £115 million that Real Madrid agreed to pay Borussia Dortmund for Jude Bellingham in 2023. The move also sets a new transfer record for Manchester City, eclipsing the £100 million they spent to sign Jack Grealish from Aston Villa in 2021. Anderson, 23, is currently competing at the FIFA World Cup with England and has completed a medical in Kansas, with the formalities of the move to be finalised when he returns to England, Manchester City said in a statement. A product of Newcastle United’s academy, Anderson joined Forest for £35 million in 2024 and made 92 appearances in all competitions, scoring six goals and providing 11 assists. He has built a reputation as a high-energy, tactically disciplined midfielder, strong in pressing and ball recovery while also contributing with progressive passing and ball carrying, and will add to a City midfield that already includes Rodri, Nico Gonzalez, Mateo Kovacic, Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Cherki, Matheus Nunes and Phil Foden as the club begins a new era under coach Enzo Maresca.
By Lauren Mitchell | JQJO News
Timeline of Events
- 2021 Manchester City sign Jack Grealish
- 2023 Real Madrid agree Jude Bellingham deal
- 2024 Anderson joins Nottingham Forest for £35m
- July 2 Deal reported as record British transfer
- Thursday Anderson completes Manchester City medical
- This week Anderson plays at FIFA World Cup
- Upon return Transfer formalities to be completed
- Next season Anderson joins Maresca’s City midfield
News Intelligence
- Anderson's record-breaking transfer shows the growing financial power of soccer. It's a sign of the sport's rising popularity in the U.S. too. If you're a soccer fan, this could mean more high-profile games and players coming your way.
Comments