Elliot Anderson is set to become the most expensive British footballer in history after Manchester City reached an agreement with Nottingham Forest over a sensational £116 million transfer.
City confirmed on Thursday that a deal has been agreed for the midfielder, with the move expected to be formally completed once Anderson’s involvement at the 2026 FIFA World Cup comes to an end.
The record-breaking transfer eclipses the previous British transfer record of £105 million, paid by Arsenal to sign Declan Rice three years ago.
The transfer also represents a remarkable financial turnaround for Nottingham Forest. The club signed Anderson from Newcastle United for £35 million just two years ago, meaning they stand to make an enormous profit after the midfielder’s rapid rise to prominence.
The deal also carries historical significance. In 1979, Forest made headlines by breaking the British transfer record to sign Trevor Francis from Birmingham City, making him Britain’s first £1 million footballer. More than four decades later, Forest will now receive the biggest transfer fee ever paid for a British player.
Anderson’s value has soared following two outstanding seasons at the City Ground, where he established himself as one of the Premier League’s most influential midfielders. His consistent performances have also earned him the trust of Thomas Tuchel, with the midfielder starting every match for England during their ongoing World Cup campaign.
While the move underlines Manchester City’s determination to strengthen their midfield for a new era, it also places significant expectations on the 23-year-old. The British transfer record has often brought intense scrutiny, and Anderson will arrive at the Etihad with the weight of becoming the country’s most expensive footballer.
Whether he can justify the historic price tag will now become one of the defining storylines of the Premier League season.
