Manchester City have agreed a £116million transfer with Nottingham Forest for England midfielder Elliot Anderson, a club-record deal for the Blues. The 23-year-old is City's top summer target and will now undergo a medical and finalise personal terms.
Medical and World Cup commitments
Anderson is currently on England duty at the World Cup. The Three Lions play Panama on Saturday night, and Anderson is not scheduled for his medical before that game. The medical should take place after the completion of the first stage of the World Cup on Saturday. City are in no rush to complete the deal, having agreed the fee with Forest, and are happy to respect England and Anderson's schedule to minimise disruption to the World Cup effort.
Further midfield reinforcements?
Anderson might not be the only senior midfield arrival this summer. City have an interest in Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali and other potential targets as they strengthen in the middle of the pitch.
Quansah backs Anderson to 'go right to the top'
Anderson's international teammate Jarell Quansah praised the midfielder, saying: “Obviously I’m not in his head or whatnot, but I’m sure he is fully focused on winning the World Cup for England. And you can’t drift too far away from that and he knows that. But he’s a proper focused young lad and he’ll go right to the top, I think.”
Next steps
Anderson is expected to finalise the deal in the near future and will link up with his new teammates later in the summer. City's World Cup stars will be afforded additional rest; how far England progress will decide when Anderson trains with the Blues and whether he heads out on tour.
