Manchester City have confirmed they have reached an agreement to sign Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest, in a deal that will reportedly make him the most expensive British player ever.

Anderson enjoyed two outstanding campaigns at the City Ground after leaving boyhood club Newcastle United in 2024, helping them finish seventh in the Premier League in 2024-25.

Forest went on to reach the Europa League semi-finals in 2025-26 before losing to eventual winners Aston Villa, and though they battled against relegation on the domestic front and ultimately finished 16th, Anderson still impressed.

He had the most touches (3,300), won possession the most times (306), won the most duels (297) and drew the most fouls (80) of any player in the Premier League.

Anderson made 88 appearances for Forest overall, and his form at club level helped him become a key part of Thomas Tuchel's England plans.

He has started all four of the Three Lions' games at the World Cup, with Ezri Konsa (360) and Harry Kane (354) England's only outfielders to play more minutes at the tournament than Anderson (338).

City quickly set their sights on Anderson following confirmation that Bernardo Silva was departing as a free agent, ultimately joining Real Madrid, while fellow midfield stalwart Rodri continues to be linked with Los Blancos after entering the final 12 months of his deal.

City's move for Anderson will reportedly cost them £116m including add-ons, surpassing the £115m (€134.2m) that Real Madrid paid Borussia Dortmund for Jude Bellingham in 2023 – which was the most expensive transfer ever involving a British player.

In a statement released on Thursday, City said: "Anderson is currently competing at the FIFA World Cup with England and has completed a medical in Kansas. 

"The formalities of the move will be finalised upon his return to England. 

"In the meantime, everyone at Manchester City wishes Elliot and the England squad the very best of luck in their World Cup campaign and we look forward to welcoming him to Manchester in due course."

Anderson's transfer is the third-most expensive incoming move in Premier League history, with only Liverpool's deals for Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz last year costing more.