Manchester City are 'kings of Manchester' says Anderson after £116m move

Anderson: 'Kings of Manchester' claim after City switch

Elliot Anderson has declared Manchester City the "kings of Manchester" after completing his £116m transfer from Nottingham Forest. The 23-year-old midfielder made the statement upon signing a long-term contract at the Etihad Stadium.

Anderson's move represents the second-largest transfer in Premier League history, trailing only Enzo Fernández's £106.8m move to Chelsea in January 2023 when adjusted for inflation. The fee underscores City's determination to strengthen their midfield after Kevin De Bruyne's injury-hit 2023-24 campaign.

Background: From Forest star to City's record buy

Anderson joined Nottingham Forest from Preston North End in 2022 for £15m and developed into one of the league's most complete midfielders. Last season, he contributed 12 goals and 9 assists in 35 appearances, forming a formidable partnership with Morgan Gibbs-White.

City's interest became concrete in early June, with Pep Guardiola personally calling Anderson to outline his role in the system. The Catalan manager views Anderson as a natural replacement for Ilkay Gundogan, who left for Barcelona in 2023, and a long-term successor to De Bruyne.

Anderson's all-round game — defensive work rate, progressive passing, and late runs into the box — fits Guardiola's requirement for midfielders to be tactically versatile. At Forest, he averaged 2.1 tackles per game and completed 87% of his passes, metrics that impressed City's data analysts.

Impact on Manchester City's squad and tactics

Anderson's arrival immediately strengthens City's midfield options. With Rodri and Mateo Kovacic likely to start, Anderson could feature as a number eight, allowing Phil Foden to remain on the wing. Guardiola may also deploy a 4-3-3 with Anderson as the left-sided central midfielder, similar to how Gundogan operated.

The fee sets a new benchmark for Premier League transfers, surpassing the £100m mark that was previously exclusive to attacking players. City's willingness to spend heavily on a midfielder reflects their strategy of investing in prime-aged talent rather than younger prospects.

For Nottingham Forest, the £116m windfall provides significant financial flexibility. They now hold the record for the highest fee received for a single player, surpassing the £80m Liverpool paid for Darwin Núñez in 2022.

What the transfer means for the title race

Anderson's signing could prove decisive in the 2025-26 Premier League title race. City finished second in 2024-25, four points behind Arsenal, partly due to a lack of depth after De Bruyne's injury. Adding a player of Anderson's calibre addresses that weakness.

Arsenal and Liverpool also strengthened their midfields this summer, but City's capture of Anderson — a player who directly improves their first XI — may tilt the balance. The club have now spent over £200m in this window, signalling their intent to reclaim the title.

Anderson's 12 league goals last season would have been second among City midfielders behind De Bruyne (14).
His 9 assists ranked third in the league among central midfielders behind Bruno Fernandes (11) and De Bruyne (10).
City have now signed four players aged 23 or under this window, averaging 22.5 years of age.

Fantasy Premier League implications

Anderson is priced at £9.5m in FPL, making him the most expensive midfielder alongside Mohamed Salah. His ownership is projected to exceed 30% by Gameweek 1. City face newly promoted Ipswich Town at home in their opening fixture, boosting Anderson's appeal.

Managers should note that Anderson may be rotated during Champions League weeks, especially given Guardiola's tendency to shuffle his pack. However, his creative output and penalty-taking duties (he scored 3 penalties last season) make him a viable captaincy option in favourable home matches.

Historical comparison: The biggest Premier League transfers

Anderson's £116m fee places him third on the all-time Premier League list, behind Enzo Fernández (£106.8m in 2023) and Moisés Caicedo (£115m in 2023). When adjusted for inflation, however, Paul Pogba's £89m move to Manchester United in 2016 would be worth approximately £120m today, making Anderson the second most expensive in real terms.

The transfer also reflects the growing value of midfielders in the modern game. Five of the top ten most expensive Premier League signings are now midfielders, compared to just three in 2020.

What's next for Anderson and City

Anderson will join City's pre-season tour in the United States, with his debut expected against Manchester United on July 31st. Guardiola has hinted Anderson could start the Community Shield against Arsenal on August 10th, a match that will provide an early indicator of his integration.

For Anderson, the pressure is immense. He is now the most expensive player in City's history, surpassing the £100m paid for Jack Grealish in 2021. His statement about City being the "kings of Manchester" will be scrutinised by United fans, but if he delivers performances to match his price tag, he could define the next era of City's dominance.