Newcastle United must shatter their transfer record to re-sign a player they sold for just £15million last year.
Nottingham Forest have reportedly slapped a staggering £120million price tag on Elliot Anderson.
The midfielder only left Newcastle United last year due to a PSR fudge - with Toon chiefs keen to avoid a Premier League points deduction. Last-minute desperation resulted in Anderson and fellow youth prospect Yankuba Minteh before the July 1 deadline.
With the ball firmly in Forest’s court, Anderson essentially cost £15million, with Greek goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos exchanged as part of the deal. Newcastle also do not have a buy-back option due to their lack of strength in negotiations.
Elliot Anderson’s meteoric rise
Since leaving the Magpies, the Whitley Bay native has gone on to become an England international. At present, he is likely to start as Declan Rice’s partner in the engine room at next year’s World Cup.
Anderson - still only 22 - has come of age to become one of the Premier League’s most talented midfielders. This has left a sour taste for Newcastle who, despite having owners worth almost £1trillion, were forced to sell an academy product due to PSR restrictions.
Staggering £120m price tag
Sky Sports Germany are reporting that Forest could demand up to £120million for their prized asset. It is perhaps unsurprising that Newcastle would not do business for this figure.
Manchester United - a club lacking legs in the middle of the park - have also been linked with Anderson. The 22-year-old is contracted until 2029 and, with no release clause, the Tricky Trees are in a position of strength.
Eddie Howe let slip to reporters earlier this month that he would “love” to see Anderson in black-and-white stripes again. An interesting sidenote is Ross Wilson - who brought the former Toon man to the City Ground - recently being appointed as the new sporting director at St James’ Park.
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Eddie Howe bold on Elliot Anderson
“From my perspective, I would love him too (return),” Howe told reporters. “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.
“Every time I watch him play, there are mixed feelings. It’s not on my mind every day, but there are certain moments. It doesn’t sit right with me that we, as a football club, had to make a decision that we didn’t want to make. It’s happened. We wish Elliot nothing but the best.”
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