The 2026 World Cup is dominating soccer headlines around the world to such an extent than many seem almost blissfully unaware that the transfer window is open.
That is likely to change now that Manchester City are poised to finalise one of the biggest Premier League deals in history to sign Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest.
Reports late on June 25 in the UK, including from The Athletic's David Ornstein, stated that City had finally reached an agreement with Forest to sign the England midfielder. The breakthrough ended weeks of negotiations in which Forest showed they were determined to secure as big a fee as possible.
It is certainly an eye-watering sum of money — even compared to some of the biggest transfers the Premier League has seen.
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How much are Man City paying for Elliot Anderson?
There are conflicting reports concerning how much City are paying for Anderson. Some suggest the total deal could exceed the British transfer record; others indicate it will be lower than that.
Fabrizio Romano reported that City "believe [the] price will be £116 million ($153 million) with NO add-ons included." This fee would be lower than the Premier League record, which was set when Liverpool signed Alexander Isak from Newcastle United last year for £125m ($165m).
David Ornstein did not state the fee that City had agreed, but he did write that, on June 10, "City had made a verbal offer for the midfielder worth £106m ($139.8m) up front with potential add-ons taking it in excess of £120m ($158.3m)."
The Telegraph, meanwhile, claimed that City will pay a staggering £130m ($171m) to bring the player to the Etihad Stadium.
🚨🔵 More on Elliot Anderson deal final fee: Manchester City side believe price will be £116m with NO add-ons included.
Elliot will undergo his medical in the US this weekend. Deal set to be signed. ✅ pic.twitter.com/emUW4log25
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 25, 2026
Most expensive transfers in Premier League history
If the £116m ($153m) sum is accurate, Anderson would go joint-second on the all-time list of most expensive Premier League transfers, behind Isak to Liverpool.
Date Player From To Transfer Fee
Sep. 2025 Alexander Isak Newcastle United Liverpool £125m ($165m)
Jun. 2025 Florian Wirtz Bayer Leverkusen Liverpool £116m ($135m)
Aug. 2023 Moises Caicedo Brighton Chelsea £115m ($147m)
Jan. 2023 Enzo Fernandez Benfica Chelsea £106.8m ($135.8m)
Jul. 2024 Declan Rice West Ham United Arsenal £105m ($137.5m)
Aug. 2021 Jack Grealish Aston Villa Man City £100m ($127m)
Aug. 2021 Romelu Lukaku Inter Milan Chelsea £97.5m ($123.8m)
Aug. 2016 Paul Pogba Juventus Man United £93.25m ($118.5m)
Jul. 2017 Romelu Lukaku Everton Man United £90m ($114.3m)
Sep. 2020 Kai Havertz Bayer Leverkusen Chelsea £90m ($114.3m)
Jan. 2023 Mykhailo Mudryk Shakhtar Donetsk Chelsea £88.5m ($112.4m)
Aug, 2022 Antony Ajax Man United £86m ($109.2m)
Jun. 2022 Darwin Nunez Benfica Liverpool £85m ($108m)
Most expensive transfers in football history
The world's most expensive transfer list includes a heavy Premier League influence, but deals for £100m or more have occurred in continental Europe just as frequently.
Brazil international Neymar remains the most expensive transfer in history following his 2017 move from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain for £198m ($252m).
Most expensive transfers in football history
Date Player Transferring from Transferring to Fee
Aug. 2017 Neymar Barcelona PSG £198m ($252m)
Aug. 2017 Kylian Mbappe AS Monaco PSG £163.3m ($207.5m)
Sep. 2025 Alexander Isak Newcastle Liverpool £125m ($165m)
Jun. 2025 Florian Wirtz Bayer Leverkusen Liverpool £116m ($135m)
Aug. 2023 Moises Caicedo Brighton Chelsea £115m ($147m)
Jul. 2019 Joao Felix Benfica Atletico Madrid £113m ($143.5m)
Jan. 2023 Enzo Fernandez Benfica Chelsea £106.8m ($135.8m)
Jul. 2019 Antoine Griezmann Atletico Madrid Barcelona £106m ($136.1m)
Jan. 2018 Philippe Coutinho Liverpool Barcelona £105m ($133.5m)
Jul. 2023 Declan Rice West Ham Arsenal £105m ($137.5m)
Aug. 2021 Jack Grealish Aston Villa Manchester City £100m ($127.2m)
How much did Nottingham Forest pay for Elliot Anderson?
Forest signed Anderson from Newcastle United in July 2024 for a reported fee of £35m ($46.1m), but the deal saw goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos go the other way to the Magpies.
That meant Anderson was effectively valued at just £15m ($19.7m).