Anderson is a City player, £116m record done
Elliot Anderson is yours. Manchester City confirmed the signing of the Nottingham Forest midfielder on Thursday for a reported £116m (€135m), making him the club's record transfer (1) (3) (4). "City are one of the biggest clubs in the world and the squad they have is amazing, they're so strong in every position," Anderson told the club website. "As soon as I knew they wanted me, I was absolutely determined to make this move happen" (5).
He studied De Bruyne for years
Anderson named Kevin De Bruyne as the player who shaped how he sees football. "I always wanted to play like him. I watched him all the time and to be here, in the same team he was doing it for, is so special" (2). He comes into a midfield that Maresca is reshaping, and the De Bruyne-shaped hole in the squad is real. Anderson is not a like-for-like replacement, but the ambition is clear.
Real Madrid have cooled on Rodri
The noise around Rodri and Real Madrid is fading. Reports on Thursday indicated that Madrid's interest has cooled, with no active pursuit expected (8). Rodri had reportedly dreamed of a return to Spain, but the Bernabéu door does not appear to be opening.
Mead crosses the divide
Beth Mead has completed her move from Arsenal to Manchester City Women (9). She described it as feeling like a breakup with Arsenal, but excitement about playing under new manager Andree Jeglertz won out.
Fan-reaktioner
The Anderson signing has City fans buzzing. The first-interview thread is filling up with excitement over a midfielder who openly idolises De Bruyne, and the record fee has not dampened the mood at all. Over on the main soccer subreddit, a post claiming Rodri to Madrid is a done deal is getting traction, but it contradicts what outlets reported Thursday. Read more on r/MCFC.
