Newcastle United felt they were forced to sell Elliot Anderson to help comply with Premier League financial rules.
Shearer has again hit out at the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR) after the Magpies felt they were forced to sell Anderson to Nottingham Forest in June 2024 to stay compliant and avoid an inevitable points deduction.
Under the PSR model, which will be replaced by Squad Cost Ratio (SCR) ahead of the 2026-27 campaign, clubs are essentially incentivised to sell their academy graduates as it represents “pure profit”.
Newcastle officially banked £35million from selling Anderson but in reality it was more like £15m after they agreed to sign Greek goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos in return for £20m.
Vlachodimos has made just one first-team appearance and is currently on loan at La Liga outfit Sevilla, while Anderson has gone to establish himself as an important player for not just Forest but England, as he prepares to start at this summer’s World Cup.
Anderson is widely expected to leave Forest this summer and while he’d be open to an emotional return to Tyneside, Newcastle don’t have the financial capacity to compete with Manchester City, who are his most likely destination.
Alan Shearer again hits out at PSR as Elliot Anderson linked with summer transfer
For Shearer, it is just another reminder that Anderson shouldn’t have been able to leave Newcastle in the first place.
“Elliot Anderson will have plenty of interest in the summer if he is available” Shearer told Betfair. “I guess Newcastle will be back in for him as well, which just puts a sour taste in your mouth because again, we go back to the PSR and what it was brought in for and what it was meant to do.
The Gazette has launched a WhatsApp NUFC channel to bring the latest news, analysis and team & injury updates directly to your phone.Simply click this linkto join our NUFC WhatsApp channel.
“It wasn't designed for you to sell your local players; it wasn't brought in for that. So, I don't like what you have to do with it. But there's no doubt that he's flourished since he left Newcastle.
“He's going to be a starter for England in the World Cup, which will also enhance his reputation. He's a very, very good player. He's shown that this season. He's been given the opportunity at Nottingham Forest, has grabbed it with both hands and flourished. It would not surprise me.
“I guess it all depends on what happens with Nottingham Forest as well, if they get relegated and what have you. That's one to keep an eye on. But if he does make it known he wants to leave, then there'll be no shortage of clubs that are after him.”
Eddie Howe shares PSR frustrations over Elliot Anderson
Speaking in October, Newcastle boss Eddie Howe shared the same PSR frustrations as Shearer does now.
Howe said: “It [his sale] didn’t sit right with me then, doesn’t sit right with me today that we, as a football club, were forced to make a decision that we didn’t want to make. And a player that had given everything to rise through the ranks here to try to play for Newcastle, that was ended by financial restrictions.
“I do think it is slightly sad that academy products are now seen as a vehicle to sell and generate profit. That side of it, for me, just doesn’t go in tune with the development of players which, ultimately, is crucial at the younger age.”
Continue Reading