Manchester City agree deal to sign Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest - after Declan Rice advised England team-mate on handling expectations
Updated 02/07/2026 at 17:57 GMT+1
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Before agreeing terms on his blockbuster summer move from Nottingham Forest to Manchester City, Elliot Anderson sought the advice of someone who knows exactly what it is like to carry the weight of a record-breaking transfer fee.
Rice was drafted in at right-back for the closing stages against DR Congo
Image credit: Getty Images
Man City announced on Thursday they had reached an agreement with Forest to sign the England midfielder.
It is a major summer deal for City, as they aim to win back the Premier League title following success for Liverpool and Arsenal in the last two seasons.
Anderson, who has been at Forest since 2024, is currently at the World Cup in Canada, the USA and Mexico - and he turned to team-mate Declan Rice, whose £105 million move from West Ham to Arsenal in 2023 set a British record for a transfer between two domestic clubs.
Now, with Anderson poised to eclipse that figure, the time spent alongside Rice on international duty provided the perfect opportunity to draw on the experience of a player who has already navigated the pressures and expectations that accompany such a career-defining move.
”We had a great chat the other day," Rice said of his conversation with Anderson in an interview with the Daily Telegraph. "We were sat outside on the beanbags. I just said to him that he can't control the price that he’s going for.
”That's what I said. I couldn’t control what I went for; he can’t control what he’s going for. Why he’s going for that price is because he’s been one of the best players in Europe this season.
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Elliot Anderson has agreed terms on a move to Manchester City
Image credit: Getty Images
”If you watch him play every game, everything goes through him at [Nottingham] Forest. He’s constantly on the ball; he’s the engine room.
”I was trying to give him a bit of perspective that the price tag is just noise. Just do what you’ve been doing and you’ll be just fine.
”I think that’s the best bit of advice I could have given him. To be fair, he’s such a humble guy, that’s not going to affect him at all what he’s going for.
”He just needs to keep doing what he’s doing and he’s going to be a real success because I believe he’s one of the best I’ve played with as well.
”I think our first nine, 10 months together have been amazing as a new partnership.”
Forest have said that the "necessary formalities" of the deal, reportedly worth £116 million, will be completed following the end of England’s World Cup campaign.
"Nottingham Forest can confirm that an agreement has been reached with Manchester City for the transfer of Elliot Anderson," the club posted on X.
"The necessary formalities will be completed in due course, allowing Elliot's full focus to remain on representing England at the FIFA World Cup.
"The club will pay tribute to Elliot's outstanding contribution over the past two seasons at the appropriate time.
"Until then, everyone at Nottingham Forest wishes Elliot and the England squad every success for the remainder of the tournament."
Anderson has become a cornerstone of Thomas Tuchel’s England team since the German manager succeeded Gareth Southgate.
He has started all four of his side’s World Cup fixtures so far and looks set to feature again in the Three Lions’ crucial last 16 tie with Mexico at the Estadio Azteca.
Man City were also quick to wish their new midfielder good luck at this summer’s World Cup in a club statement following the announcement.
Anderson enjoyed an impressive 2025/26 campaign with Forest, producing four goals and four assists in 38 Premier League appearances.
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Anderson buries beauty to equalise AGAIN for Forest against Man City
Video credit: TNT Sports
He did so despite a roller-coaster campaign that saw Forest finish in 16th place in the Premier League table, just five points above the relegation zone.
Anderson joined Forest from Newcastle during the summer of 2024, having come through the Magpies’ academy.
Man City are preparing for their first season without Pep Guardiola at the helm since 2016.
They announced Enzo Maresca as their new manager in June after he guided Chelsea to the FIFA Club World Cup and the UEFA Conference League.
Man City have struggled in recent years despite Guardiola’s experience, finishing seven points behind champions Arsenal in the Premier League table last term.
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