Elliot Anderson is heavily linked with Manchester City but would prefer a move to Newcastle United, according to one former player.
Whitley Bay-born Anderson was gutted to leave his boyhood club in June 2024, but accepted that the Magpies needed to make the £35million sale in order to comply with Premier League Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR).
Approaching two years on and Anderson’s price tag has more than doubled, having established himself as a key player for not just Nottingham Forest but England, with his place at this summer’s World Cup all but secured.
The 23-year-old is widely expected to move clubs after the tournament in North America, with Man City said to be leading the race. But, if given the opportunity, Waddle reckons Anderson would choose Newcastle instead.
Elliot Anderson would favour Newcastle United move - Chris Waddle
“Elliot Anderson is a Newcastle fan,” Waddle told FruityKing. “He’s a Geordie. He probably couldn’t believe he got sold to Nottingham Forest in the first place but he’s enjoying his football, he’s in the England team, and it looks like he’ll be going to the World Cup.
“He'll not be in a rush but the chance of going back to Newcastle? I'm sure he's always wanted to play in those black and white stripes and I'm sure he'll be up for it. But I think, again, there'll be a lot of competition.
“I think he's on his game at the minute, let's be honest. He's playing well for Forest. He's consistent. Week in, week out he does a job, and so he's been in good form. You would think at his age, he'd only get better as he gets older. Most players do.
“There'll be a lot of teams eyeing him up so you'd have a lot to pick from if he does decide to leave Forest. Newcastle may just swing it because he’s a Newcastle fan.”
An emotional homecoming for Anderson is nothing more than a pipe dream at present due to the likely finances involved.
Sandro Tonali could leave Newcastle for a similar price as Anderson this summer, but the club’s recruitment team are set to target more ‘bargain-based’ players rather than paying a huge premium like previous transfer windows.
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