Latest Newcastle United news with an update on former midfielder Elliot Anderson and his future
Elliot Anderson during a Nottingham Forest game
Former Newcastle United midfielder Elliot Anderson is being linked with a move to Manchester United
(Image: Getty Images)
Former Newcastle United midfielder Elliot Anderson is a transfer target for Manchester United, according to ex-Old Trafford scout Mick Brown.
After coming through the ranks at St James' Park, making 55 first-team appearances, Anderson left the Magpies in July 2024 to sign for Nottingham Forest in a £35 million deal.
At the time, there was criticism of the decision to offload the 22-year-old, though Eddie Howe's side needed to sell to comply with Profit and Sustainability (PSR) rules.
Reserve goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos moved in the opposite direction for £20m at around the same time.
There was always a risk that Newcastle could regret selling Anderson, as he had the talent to become an elite Premier League operator and it appears that he is starting to fulfil his potential.
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Indeed, Anderson was a star performer for Forest last season, helping them to a seventh-place finish and a spot in this season's Europa League. He has since continued his form into this campaign with the Whitley Bay man making his England senior debut for Thomas Tuchel's side against Andorra earlier this month.
After impressing and winning the Player of the Match prize, Anderson was rewarded with his second cap for England's trip to Serbia and he was the standout player once again.
With Anderson catching the eye for both Forest and England, speculation has increased on his future and interest is building. In fact, according to former United chief Brown, the Reds are considering a move.
"Man United have been looking at Anderson," Brown told Football Insider. "He's done a tremendous job at Nottingham Forest and then he’s come into the England side and turned in a man-of-the-match performance. United see him as exactly the type of midfielder they would like to bring in.
"He gets up and down the park, he's confident and secure in possession of the ball, and he's not afraid to put in a tackle which is something they need.
"Anderson would solve, or certainly help with, a lot of the issues they've had under Amorim. Everybody knows they wanted a midfielder in the summer but they couldn’t find the right one who was available at the price they wanted.
"I don't know what Anderson would cost, but he is somebody who's been on their radar. He would be the ideal player to fill the gaps they've had in the squad."
Reports have suggested that Forest value Anderson at no less than £70m - double the amount the Reds spent on him just over 12 months ago. At this stage, it's understood the midfielder has no plans to leave The City Ground.
But if he did move to Manchester, would Newcastle be due some cash as part of a potential sell-on clause?
Chronicle Liveunderstands the Magpies do not have a buy-back option despite claims that the club can activate certain clauses in his agreement with Forest. If Newcastle wanted Anderson back, they'd have to pay full market value for the midfielder, with his value increasing after each performance, at the moment.
It has been suggested that Newcastle also do not have a sell-on clause in Anderson's contract - something that could prove to be a hammer blow should he be sold for a considerable amount of cash.
Anderson, however, was not the only Newcastle player sold to fend off PSR rules last season. The Magpies sold Yankuba Minteh in a deal worth around £30m to Brighton & Hove Albion, but the Anderson move was always a move that could come back to haunt them - and it has.
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