Man City have 'massively overpaid' for Elliot Anderson, scout who discovered Erling Haaland reveals what he's really worth

Nottingham Forest were right to accept Manchester City's £116million offer for Elliot Anderson because no other club would have paid anywhere near the same amount.

That is the opinion of former senior Tottenham, Aston Villa and Everton scout, Bryan King, who exclusively spoke to Football Insider.

The 23-year-old is set to complete his move to the Citizens in the coming days, and is expected to sign a five-year contract with the option of an additional year.

Anderson will become the most expensive Englishman of all time, with all £116m of the transfer fee guaranteed.

Nottingham Forest had rejected a bid worth £120m earlier this month, with Evangelos Marinakis looking for more guaranteed money.

The Tricky Trees will now attempt to replace the England international, with the likes of Curtis Jones and Lucas Bergvall linked.

Bryan King stunned by Elliot Anderson fee

Anderson signed for Nottingham Forest just two years ago, joining in a deal worth around £35m.

Newcastle United will undoubtedly look back on that deal with anguish now, although it was largely enforced by financial constraints.

Neither they or anybody else would have expected Anderson to progress as he has done in the time since, now having established himself among Europe's best midfielders.

The 23-year-old enjoyed a fantastic Premier League season for Nottingham Forest, and has performed well for England at the World Cup so far.

Not everyone is convinced, however. "Good job he's going to Man City because no one else could afford it," King, a legendary Norwegian scout who discovered Erling Haaland and recommended him to Everton at 15, told Football Insider.

"The figure amazes me, to be honest. He's a good player. I don't think he's a first choice England player. And for 116 million, that's what I'd expect.

"But there again, if somebody's prepared to pay that kind of money, then I would imagine Nottingham Forest would have bitten anybody's hand off because totally over the top for me.

"For me, I'd have said £70million would have been a right figure for anybody to pay for him," King added.

Central midfielder market has exploded

Over the years the market for central midfielders appears to have grown and grown.

£115m for Moises Caicedo, £105m for Declan Rice, £107m for Enzo Fernandez - the list goes on.

This summer appears to have taken it to an entire new level, however. Sandro Tonali, Anderson, Adam Wharton and several others will only be available if that £100m mark is reached.

Attackers used to be the most expensive deals to complete, but in recent years it appears that central midfielders have taken on that role.