Anderson's £116m City Move
Tuchel confirms Elliot Anderson's £116m Man City transfer nearing completion before World Cup
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England manager Thomas Tuchel says Elliot Anderson's £116 million move to Manchester City should be wrapped up before England's next World Cup game. The Sun reported that Tuchel confirmed the deal is agreed but the medical was held off until after the Panama match. England beat Panama 2-0 on June 27 to top Group L with seven points.
The £116m fee makes Anderson the most expensive British player ever — a guaranteed figure with no add-ons, according to reports. Anderson, 23, started in England's midfield against Panama alongside Morgan Rogers, with Jude Bellingham playing ahead of them. Bellingham took home man-of-the-match honors.
Tuchel Clears Anderson of Any Fitness Worries
Rumors of muscle tightness swirled around Anderson before the Panama match. Tuchel shut them down fast. He said Anderson had "no fitness issues" and went into the game without any concerns. Tuchel added that there were "no distractions, no medical before the match" — a sign the camp kept things clean ahead of a must-win group game.
Tuchel praised how Anderson handled himself on the pitch. He highlighted the midfielder's ability to combine with both Rogers and Bellingham in a single-pivot role. For a player on the verge of a record-breaking move, Tuchel said his focus never wavered.
How Anderson Went From Forced Sale to £116m Star
Anderson's story starts with a painful exit. Newcastle United sold him to Nottingham Forest for just £35 million in June 2024. Newcastle manager Eddie Howe called it a "very, very painful transfer" that the club "had to do" to meet Premier League financial rules, known as Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR). Essentially, clubs that overspend can face points deductions — so Newcastle sold.
Forest got a bargain. Anderson exploded over two seasons at the City Ground. In 2025/26, he led the Premier League in possessions won, racking up 306, and touches, with 3,300. Manchester City moved quickly. By May 2026, they were in "pole position" to sign him as their top target for life after Pep Guardiola, according to Sky Sports.
A British Record Deal Agreed During the World Cup
Manchester City and Nottingham Forest agreed the £116m fee on June 25, just days before the tournament began in earnest. Anderson also agreed personal terms — a five-year contract worth an estimated £300,000 per week. Tuchel had already called Anderson the "full package" on the eve of the World Cup, urging him to "stay humble" as the move took shape.
Some critics argued that handling a £116m transfer during a World Cup was wrong and bad for team morale. Tuchel pushed back. He framed the transfer interest as a "compliment" to Anderson. With personal terms agreed long before the tournament, he argued the official announcement was just paperwork — not a distraction.
England's Injury Cloud Hangs Over Next Knockout Game
England face the Democratic Republic of Congo in Atlanta in the Round of 32. But the camp has a fresh worry. Right-back Reece James is a doubt with a hamstring injury, according to multiple local news outlets. James is England's first-choice option at right-back, making his absence a serious concern for Tuchel.
Tuchel said his staff will "do everything" to get James fit in time. Meanwhile, finalizing Anderson's move to City before the knockout game could actually help the squad. It removes the last piece of transfer noise from the camp and lets everyone focus fully on the next 90 minutes.
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