Manchester City complete blockbuster £116m deal for Anderson in biggest-ever UK football transfer

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Photo: Getty Images

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By Adegboyega Adeleye

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Manchester City have completed the signing of England midfielder Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest in a record-breaking £116 million deal, making the 23-year-old the most expensive British footballer in history.

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According to Sky Sports, City reached an agreement with Forest for Anderson, who is currently with England at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The midfielder completed his medical in Kansas between England’s World Cup fixtures, with the remaining formalities to be concluded after the tournament.

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The transfer surpasses the £115 million Real Madrid committed to signing Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund in 2023, while also eclipsing the £100 million City paid for Jack Grealish, making Anderson the club’s record signing.

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In a statement, Manchester City confirmed the agreement and wished the midfielder success with England before he officially joins the club.

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“Manchester City and Nottingham Forest have reached an agreement for the transfer of Elliot Anderson,” the club said.

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“Anderson is currently competing at the FIFA World Cup with England and has completed a medical in Kansas. The formalities of the move will be finalised upon his return to England.”

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Anderson becomes the first signing of new City manager Enzo Maresca, who recently succeeded Pep Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium.

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The former Newcastle United midfielder has enjoyed a remarkable rise since joining Nottingham Forest for £35 million two years ago. He started 37 Premier League matches last season, scoring four goals and providing four assists while establishing himself as one of the league’s most complete midfielders.

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According to BBC Sport, Anderson’s statistics explain why City were willing to break the British transfer record. He finished the 2025-26 Premier League campaign with the most touches (3,300), most duels won (298), most possessions won (306) and most fouls won (80), while also leading all central midfielders in completed passes (2,038) and line-breaking passes (376).

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His influence extended beyond possession. Anderson covered 411 kilometres during the season — second only to Everton’s James Garner — and ranked second among Premier League midfielders for high-intensity pressures with 1,895.

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Despite Forest spending much of the season playing on the counter-attack, Anderson remained one of the division’s most progressive midfielders, creating 54 chances and nine big chances while contributing four goals and four assists.

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His versatility has also been evident at the World Cup, where he has started all four of England’s matches under Thomas Tuchel.

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With Bernardo Silva leaving this summer and uncertainty surrounding Rodri’s long-term future, City view Anderson as a midfielder capable of thriving in multiple roles while anchoring the next phase of their midfield rebuild.

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