England star for the 2026 World Cup set to join Man City for a record transfer fee

Elliot Anderson, the midfielder, is nearing a move to Manchester City in a transfer that might set a new record for English players.

Fresh talks between Man City and Nottingham Forest are expected to continue within the next 24 hours, opening the possibility of the deal being completed shortly.

Previously, Nottingham Forest rejected two offers for Elliot Anderson. The City Ground side remains firm on a valuation close to £130 million for the English star. If that figure is reached, Anderson would become one of the most expensive players in world football history.

According to multiple sources in England, the two clubs are holding key negotiations to narrow the gap on the transfer fee.

If everything goes smoothly, the total value of the deal could exceed the £125 million that Liverpool spent to sign Alexander Isak last summer. Currently, the record for the most expensive English player in history remains with Declan Rice after Arsenal paid £105 million to take him from West Ham three years ago.

Not only Man City, but also Manchester United has long pursued Anderson. However, the Etihad club is reported to have identified the 23-year-old midfielder as their top priority since news emerged that captain Bernardo Silva will leave on a free transfer after his contract expires.

The signing of Anderson is seen as a strong statement by Man City in their preparation for the post-Pep Guardiola era. The English player is regarded as highly suitable for the positional control and ball circulation style favored by coach Enzo Maresca. The Italian manager is reportedly set to succeed Guardiola under a three-year contract after the parties finalize a compensation agreement with Chelsea.

Anderson joined Nottingham Forest from Newcastle United two years ago in a deal worth around £15 million net, with reserve goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos moving in the opposite direction. In reality, Newcastle did not want to part ways with the homegrown talent, but was forced to sell him to comply with the Premier League's financial regulations.

Since moving to Nottingham Forest, Anderson has made tremendous progress. He has become one of the most complete and consistent midfielders in England, standing out for his ability to control the game, fierce tackling, and effective attacking support. Those impressive performances have caused his value to skyrocket, leading Man City to decide to spend a record sum to secure the signature of the 23-year-old.