Manchester City have agreed a deal worth £116 million up front to sign Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest, surpassing their own club record but falling just short of the British transfer record.
The 23-year-old midfielder has been given permission to undergo a medical in New York on Friday, with the transfer still subject to personal terms. City had made Anderson their top target this summer and were not deterred by Forest's hardline stance, which had aimed for a fee exceeding the £125 million paid for Alexander Isak last summer.
Anderson joined Forest from Newcastle in 2023 for £35 million and has since developed into a key player, making his England debut in September. He has started both of England's World Cup games so far and is expected to retain his role against Panama.
City's previous club record was the £100 million spent on Jack Grealish in 2021. The move comes as City enter a post-Pep Guardiola era, with Enzo Maresca expected to become the new head coach. Anderson is seen as fitting into the system and will help meet homegrown player quotas.
City are also mindful of Rodri's future, with the 30-year-old linked to Real Madrid. The club have struggled to integrate central midfielders in recent years, and Anderson is expected to play a significant role as City aim for a smooth transition after Guardiola's departure.
