Elliot Anderson braced for Man City blow before Nottingham Forest transfer exit confirmed

Elliot Anderson is braced for a Manchester City move worth £116 million as his transfer from Nottingham Forest edges towards completion. The 23-year-old midfielder is set to become City's club-record signing and the second-most expensive British player in history, behind only Liverpool's Alexander Isak at £125 million.

Anderson's medical is expected to take place in Kansas City, where England's World Cup training base is situated, rather than New York as originally planned. England head coach Thomas Tuchel has predicted the deal will be finalised before the Three Lions face the Round of 32 clash, saying "I think there is a very high chance that the thing is sorted before the round of 32."

Tuchel paid tribute to Anderson's character and performances, stating "It is very impressive the way he trains and plays and carries himself. He is still young and quite new to our national team and he just plays like he owns the place and is always there."

The move represents significant profit for Nottingham Forest, who signed Anderson from Newcastle United just two years ago for £35 million. However, Newcastle will not benefit from any sell-on clause in the controversial deal that saw the midfielder depart the club during the summer of 2024 due to profit and sustainability regulations.

At City, Anderson faces a potential issue over his preferred shirt number. Mateo Kovacic currently wears the number eight for City, meaning Anderson must select an alternative. Possible options include number twelve, unoccupied since Angelino's departure in 2020, or number seventeen, made famous by Kevin De Bruyne, with numbers eighteen and nineteen also available.

Anderson has impressed at the World Cup, playing a crucial role in England's performances. Despite the enormous financial outlay, his orchestrating abilities in midfield have justified City's investment, with the midfielder already looking like a focal point of England's tournament campaign.