Why Manchester City will pay £150m for a player who missed the World Cup

Manchester City are set to shatter the British transfer record by paying €150 million for Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson. The 23-year-old was overlooked at the recent World Cup, yet Pep Guardiola’s side are prepared to pay a figure that exceeds the current record held by Alexander Isak. City’s interest in Anderson is driven by his profile as a control midfielder who can break up play and serve the team. Thomas Tuchel, former England manager, has publicly praised his work rate and tactical discipline. The deal is not yet finalised, but leading British outlets report it will conclude within days. Anderson’s €150 million valuation surpasses Isak’s €145 million move from Newcastle United to Liverpool in the summer of 2025. Transfermarkt currently values Anderson at €75 million, a figure that has risen tenfold in two years. In 2024, his market value stood at just €15 million.

Elliot Anderson’s £116m City switch won’t distract his World Cup aim

Inflation is a major factor. Research by CIES shows that player prices have risen by an average of 9% annually over the past decade, outpacing global inflation of 3.4% to 4.4% per year. A study by Uppsala University found that transfer fees today average 116% higher than ten years ago, implying Anderson would have cost around €69.5 million in 2016. The ‘homegrown’ rule in the Premier League requires clubs to include at least eight English or English-trained players in their squads. City currently have ten such players but face departures, including John Stones. With a limited pool of top-level English talent, demand outstrips supply, pushing prices up.

Manchester City sign Elliot Anderson for £116m

Premier League clubs also prefer domestic transfers to reduce risk. Foreign signings often struggle to adapt to the league’s intensity and physicality. Anderson, however, has already proven he meets the Premier League standard, though past high-profile domestic transfers like Jack Grealish have not always delivered expected returns. Grealish arrived for €117.5 million from Aston Villa and was later loaned out before leaving the club permanently. His case highlights the volatility of such investments, even when targeting homegrown talent.