Manchester City have agreed a monumental deal to sign England midfielder Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest for a fee that could rise to a British record £130 million.
Forest had previously rebuffed two bids from the Etihad club, but City’s latest package surpasses the current £125 million domestic benchmark set by Liverpool’s acquisition of Alexander Isak from Newcastle last year. The 23-year-old is currently in the United States with the Three Lions squad, and an official announcement is anticipated before the tournament concludes.
Anderson’s stock has soared following a stellar domestic campaign that helped Forest secure survival via a 16th-place finish. He has carried that form onto the international stage, starting in England’s 4-2 victory over Croatia and the subsequent stalemate against Ghana.
National team boss Thomas Tuchel previously labeled the midfielder the “full package,” dismissing concerns that high-profile club speculation would disrupt his focus ahead of Saturday’s final Group L fixture against Panama in New Jersey.
For City, this statement signing marks the beginning of a new era. After finishing runners-up to Arsenal in the Premier League during Pep Guardiola’s final season, the reigning FA Cup and League Cup holders are wasting no time reshaping their squad for a renewed title assault.