Inside the Elliot Anderson deal and how he became the most expensive British footballer | OneFootball

Manchester City have signed Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest for £116m, a club record that makes him the most expensive British footballer. Weeks of talks ended when CEO Ferran Soriano intervened.

According to NY Times, a late breakthrough enabled Anderson to complete a medical with English FA staff in Kansas City while on World Cup duty.

Forest sought a fee above Declan Rice’s £105m, then £126m with £20m in achievable add-ons. City preferred clauses tied to winning the Champions League, which Forest rejected.

Manchester United enquired but backed away over the price. Soriano took charge of negotiations and agreed a guaranteed £116m with owner Evangelos Marinakis.

The payment structure cuts Forest’s financing costs and has been likened to a British record. City expect Anderson to sign for five years, with a 12 month option, on about £300,000 per week if bonuses are met.

City rate the 23-year-old’s power, ball use and homegrown status, and believe he can partner or deputise for Rodri. With Bernardo Silva departing and uncertainty over Rodri’s contract, Anderson looks set for a central role.

Source: NY Times