Manchester City signs Elliot Anderson, the English player is said to be the most expensive British transfer

England midfielder Elliot Anderson joined Manchester City from fellow Premier League side Nottingham Forest on Thursday in a deal reported to be the most expensive transfer for a British player.

The clubs did not reveal financial details, but British media said the total deal was worth up to 116 million pounds ($153 million), surpassing the package of up to 115 million pounds that Real Madrid agreed to pay Borussia Dortmund for Jude Bellingham in 2023.

«Anderson, 23, is currently competing in the FIFA World Cup with England and has completed a medical in Kansas. The formalities of the move will be completed upon his return to England,» City said in a statement.

The move also makes Anderson Manchester City’s most expensive transfer, surpassing the £100 million spent to buy winger Jack Grealish from Aston Villa in 2021.

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Anderson, a product of Newcastle United’s academy, joined Forest in 2024 for £35 million and made 92 appearances in all competitions, scoring six goals and providing 11 assists.

The midfielder has built a reputation as an energetic, tactically sound player, combining defensive toughness with the ability to contribute further up the pitch.

He is best known for his relentless work rate, with strong pressing and ball recovery abilities, as well as a high degree of progressive passing and carrying the ball forward.

He joins a Man City midfield already packed with quality in the form of Rodri, Nico Gonzalez, Mateo Kovacic, Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Cherki, Matheus ⁠Nunes and compatriot Phil Foden

Man City, who finished second behind Arsenal in the Premier League, are starting a new era under former Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca following the departure of Pep Guardiola after a hugely successful decade in charge.

Published on July 2, 2026