Elliot Anderson officially signed by Manchester City

After a tense back-and-forth between Nottingham Forest and Manchester City, Elliot Anderson has officially joined the Citizens.

This move will be doubly frustrating for Manchester United fans as not only have their local rivals gained a top quality player, however, Anderson was a firm favourite on United’s shortlist.

Last summer, Anderson emerged on The Red Devils’ shortlist alongside Carlos Baleba and Adam Wharton as the main three targets to revitalise the Old Trafford midfield.

However, heading into this summer transfer window, Forest were still holding out for an offer of over £120 million, pricing United out of the market.

In their place, Manchester City took charge of negotiations, becoming the clear favourites to sign the England international.

Now, the deal is done, and Manchester City have announced the move on the official website.

City’s statement read, “Manchester City and Nottingham Forest have reached an agreement for the transfer of Elliot Anderson.

Anderson, 23, 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. ”

Now, after the 2026 World Cup, Anderson will be joining his new teammates at the Etihad ready for the new season.

He will now be aiming to help England overcome Mexico at the iconic Azteca Stadium, with victory securing a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup quarter-finals and keeping their hopes of lifting the trophy firmly alive.

While Anderson now knows where he’ll be playing for the coming season, Manchester United are still finalising their midfield plans, with only Ederson signed to replace Casemiro and the potential departure of Manuel Ugarte.