Eddie Howe admitted a fortnight ago that he “would love” Newcastle United to re-sign Elliot Anderson.
Newcastle United reportedly must stump up £75million to re-sign academy graduate Elliot Anderson.
One of the biggest hiccups since the Saudi-backed takeover has been offloading the midfielder. Toon chiefs were forced to sell Anderson and another promising youngster, Yankuba Minteh, to avoid a Premier League points deduction.
The PSR deadline was approaching and the Magpies reluctantly sold their best youth product for a generation to Nottingham Forest. A two-way deal saw Greek goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos sign for Newcastle, who left to join Sevilla on loan after making one cup appearance last season.
Elliot Anderson’s meteoric rise
Few could have expected Anderson to excel just as he has done since leaving St James’ Park. While there is no doubt he was regarded as an exciting prospect, the Whitley Bay native had been a bit-part player under Eddie Howe.
Joelinton, Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes made first-team opportunities difficult and a move appeared the best outcome for his career. However, whether Newcastle would have sanctioned his sale in hindsight - given his status as an England international - remains to be seen.
Anderson is being backed as the preferred partner to Declan Rice as the heart of England’s midfield for next year’s World Cup. It is perhaps no surprise that he has attracted interest from several Premier League big hitters.
Newcastle United learn Elliot Anderson price tag
The Express report that Manchester City are considering a £75million bid for Anderson. That would be a huge return for Forest, who effectively paid £15million in June 2024.
Pep Guardiola is a huge admirer and views Anderson as a genuine option given the concerns over Rodri’s long-term future. January signing Nico Gonzalez has also struggled to hit the ground running at the Etihad.
A transfer fee in that region would likely repel Newcastle’s interest. While funds from the Alexander Isak saga have eased the PSR pressures on Tyneside, persuading PIF to part with that sum for a former academy player provides a different battle.
It is no secret that Howe and the Magpies like Anderson - with the Toon boss admitting he would “love” to see him return a fortnight ago. Speculation has also heightened following Ross Wilson’s appointment as sporting director - the man who brought the 22-year-old to the City Ground.
Read More
Eddie Howe ‘would love’ Elliot Anderson return
On the possibility of Anderson returning, Howe said a fortnight ago: “From my perspective, I would love him to (return),” Howe told reporters yesterday. “I’m very respectful of the fact he is at another football club and I would never normally talk about a player in that way, so, I won’t change that stance.
“It is very regrettable that a player from the academy who had given so much… and the club had given so much too, the coaching staff, all those years here, and how people tried to develop those talents, for him not to be utilised here is a real shame.”
Continue Reading