MANCHESTER, England, June 24 Betandsured. Manchester City are in the very final stages of negotiations with Nottingham Forest over the signing of midfielder Elliot Anderson, with both clubs working to resolve the remaining details of what is set to become a British record transfer.
The Premier League runners up have identified the 23 year old as their primary midfield target this summer, with City planning for life after Bernardo Silva, who departed the Etihad Stadium at the end of his contract . Anderson has been granted permission by England manager Thomas Tuchel to undergo a medical while on international duty at the FIFA World Cup in North America, clearing a significant logistical hurdle .
City have seen two bids rejected by Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis, who has held firm on an upfront payment of £110 million for a player who has established himself as one of the most dynamic midfielders in the Premier League . The total package being discussed, including bonuses, could surpass £130 million, comfortably eclipsing the £105 million Arsenal paid West Ham for Declan Rice in 2023 .
According to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, the deal is now at the “very final stages” as the clubs continue to negotiate behind the scenes to unlock pending details . City are exploring creative solutions to bridge the financial gap, including restructuring performance related bonuses to make them more achievable for Forest to unlock .
Manchester United had registered interest in Anderson but have since withdrawn from the race, with the player understood to have communicated a preference to move to the Etihad Stadium . That decision leaves City with a clear path to secure their man, though United’s earlier interest may have strengthened Forest’s negotiating position .
For City’s incoming manager Enzo Maresca, Anderson would represent the centrepiece of a significant rebuild following Pep Guardiola’s departure at the end of the 2025-26 season . The 23 year old offers the kind of box to box energy and technical quality that Maresca’s system demands, with his ability to arrive late into goalscoring positions from central areas viewed as a valuable asset for a club seeking to replace Silva’s creative output .
Whether the final details are concluded before or during England’s World Cup campaign remains to be seen, but Romano’s update suggests the finish line is now firmly in sight for a deal that City have pursued since the start of the summer window.
Reporting by Azuka; Editing by Betandsured team
