Manchester City are reportedly prioritising a £100m move for Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson as they look to revamp their midfield under new manager Enzo Maresca. The 22-year-old, who scored a stunning equaliser against City at the Etihad in March, has emerged as a key target after impressing with his passing range, athleticism, and versatility as both a No. 6 and No. 8.
Anderson's potential transfer would make him the most expensive British footballer ever, surpassing Jack Grealish's £100m move to City in 2021. However, the fee reflects the inflated midfield market, with at least five £100m midfielders expected in the Premier League next season, including Sandro Tonali, Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo, and Declan Rice.
City have historically been cautious spenders, with most of Pep Guardiola's key signings costing between £30m and £65m. The club's previous record buy, Grealish, was an outlier, and Guardiola's preferred midfield axis of Rodri and Bernardo Silva cost less combined than Anderson's potential fee.
While Anderson's goal return is modest—he has scored just five Premier League goals in 72 appearances—his all-round game has drawn comparisons to elite midfielders. The move would signal City's intent to reclaim the Premier League title and build a dominant midfield for the future.
