Anderson to join Man City from Forest for British record fee

LONDON: Manchester City have agreed a potential British record transfer fee to sign England midfielder Elliot Anderson from fellow Premier League club Nottingham Forest, according to several media reports on Thursday.

Britain’s Press Association and the BBC reported that City had agreed a fee which could rise to £130 million for the 23-year-old.

The current highest transfer fee paid by a British club was the £125 million Liverpool spent to bring Alexander Isak to Anfield from Newcastle last year.

Forest had reportedly rejected two previous offers from Man City for Anderson.

He is currently in the United States with the England World Cup squad, but the move could be officially confirmed before the end of the tournament.

The central midfielder told BBC Sport this week that he was focusing on the national side rather than his future at club level.

“It’s pretty easy really, I’m just focusing on the present, I’m blocking it all out,” he said.

“I’ve got a plan and it’s to perform for England. I’m putting myself in the best position to cross the line and do that.”

England face Panama in their final Group L game in New Jersey on Saturday, by when they may already have been assured of a place in the last 32.

Anderson started both their opening 4-2 win over Croatia and the subsequent goalless draw with Ghana.

England manager Thomas Tuchel described Anderson as the “full package” during the team’s World Cup preparation camp and expressed confidence that City’s interest would not distract him.

Man City finished second behind Arsenal in the Premier League last term in Pep Guardiola’s final season in charge, but won the FA Cup and League Cup titles.

Forest were embroiled in a relegation battle for much of the campaign before a strong late run of form saw them finish safely in 16th place.