Elliot Anderson Joins Manchester City for £116m

England midfielder Elliot Anderson has ignited excitement ahead of the new season by calling Manchester City the ‘kings of Manchester’ after finalizing his £116 million move from Nottingham Forest. The 23-year-old emphasized City’s superiority over their local rivals, Manchester United, during the last decade while eagerly anticipating his new challenge at the Etihad Stadium.

Anderson’s transfer briefly held the record for the most expensive deal involving a British player, only to be surpassed days later by Morgan Rogers’ £117 million move from Aston Villa to Chelsea. Notably, City were not the only club vying for Anderson’s signature—Manchester United had also shown interest before withdrawing, paving the way for City to finalize the deal. Anderson arrives at the Etihad following a standout season with Nottingham Forest, where he hardly missed a Premier League match, and after representing England at the World Cup, where the Three Lions finished in third place.

Currently taking a well-deserved three-week break after his international duties in North America, Anderson is already looking ahead to the upcoming fixtures, particularly highlighting the anticipated Manchester derby scheduled for September 13.

In an interview with his new club’s in-house media, Anderson did not hold back regarding the fierce rivalry. He remarked, “It’s one of the biggest derbies in the world, and for as long as I’ve known Manchester, City have been the kings of Manchester,” expressing eagerness to join such a momentous occasion from the outset.

Furthermore, he was straightforward about the factors that attracted him to the Etihad. “They’re winners, they’re relentless, and that’s the sort of team I want to be a part of,” he explained.

This transfer marks a significant step up for the former Newcastle United player, who made his move to Nottingham Forest for £35 million in 2024. Anderson elaborated on his reasons for joining Manchester’s blue side, pointing out the club’s unprecedented success over the past decade.

Despite the hefty price tag and his rise as a key player for the England national team, Anderson feels he is still in a developmental phase. “It’s happened quite quickly, but I think I always believed I could get to this point, and this is where I want to be. Now that I’m here, I’ll keep pushing and try to take this club forward,” he stated confidently.

Anderson has signed a long-term contract until 2031 and is the first major acquisition for Enzo Maresca, who took over as head coach from Pep Guardiola earlier this summer. Excited about the prospect of working under Maresca’s tactical direction, Anderson noted, “I’ve watched his teams over the past couple of years and spoke to a few of the lads from Chelsea, and they all rate him very highly.”

Statistically backing up his impressive performance last season, Anderson led the Premier League in several categories, including most touches (3,300), most duels won (297), and total possessions won (306). When asked about what he hopes to bring to the Etihad, Anderson confidently remarked, “I think I bring a bit of everything. I bring quality, physicality, and energy.”