Sources: City gets Anderson for record $171.5M

Rob DawsonJun 25, 2026, 05:40 PM ET

Manchester City have reached an agreement with Nottingham Forest to sign Elliot Anderson, sources have told ESPN.

The England midfielder, currently part of Thomas Tuchel's squad at the World Cup, is set to move to the Etihad Stadium for a British record fee which could rise to £130 million ($171.5 million).

It beats the previous record of £125 million set when Alexander Isak moved from Newcastle to Liverpool last summer.

Anderson will also become the most expensive British player beating Declan Rice's £105 million move from West Ham to Arsenal in 2023.

City made Anderson their top summer target and have finally sealed a deal after seeing two previous bids turned down.

Anderson is ready to have his medical in the United States, where he is preparing for England's last World Cup group game against Panama on Saturday.

The 23-year-old will become City's first major signing since the departure of Pep Guardiola as manager at the end of the season.

Former Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca is expected to be announced as Guardiola's replacement imminently.

The club has moved to bolster its midfield with Anderson, who was also wanted by Manchester United, after Bernardo Silva joined Real Madrid on a free transfer and amid continuing doubts about the futures of Nico González and Tijjani Reijnders.