Elliot Anderson Declares City "Kings of Manchester" After Completing £116m Move from Nottingham Forest

July 23, 2026

Manchester City have completed the £116 million signing of England midfielder Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest, with the 22-year-old becoming the second-most expensive British player in history after Chelsea's blockbuster deal for Morgan Rogers earlier this week.

Anderson, who declared City the "kings of Manchester" after sealing the deal, has signed a five-year contract at the Etihad Stadium with the option of a further 12 months. His arrival marks another remarkable chapter in a transfer window that has already broken records with alarming regularity.

The Newcastle-born midfielder spent the last two seasons developing into one of the most complete central midfielders in the Premier League after his move from Newcastle United to Forest. His ability to press, carry the ball, win possession and contribute in the final third convinced City boss Pep Guardiola to make an audacious move that now ranks among the club's biggest ever investments in a single player.

Anderson's message to the red half of Manchester was unambiguous. Speaking after completing the deal, he made clear his belief that City remain the dominant force in the city, a statement that will only intensify what is already one of football's most ferocious local rivalries.

The signing also sends a message to rivals across Europe. Having invested so heavily in both attack and midfield this summer, City appear to be rebuilding for another sustained title challenge after a season in which their dominance was tested. Anderson gives Guardiola a powerful option in the engine room who can play multiple positions in midfield and contribute across all phases of the game.

For Nottingham Forest, the sale represents an extraordinary windfall. The fee — £116 million — would have been almost unthinkable for a player who arrived as a young, developing talent. It reflects both the premium placed on elite English players and the fierce competition among top clubs to secure them before rivals can move.