- Newcastle United sent Elliot Anderson transfer update
- England international left St James’ Park in 2024
- Anderson has been linked with a move away from Nottingham Forest
Newcastle United have their work cut out if they are to complete a remarkable deal and bring midfielder Elliot Anderson back to St James’ Park on a transfer this summer.
The 23-year-old is a product of the Magpies academy and went on to make 55 first team appearances for the club, but never nailed down a place in the starting XI.
Anderson was deemed surplus to requirements in 2024 and allowed to seek pastures new at Nottingham Forest. The midfielder arrived at the City Ground on a £35 million deal, putting pen to paper on a five-year contract.
Newcastle United face midfield restructure
That fee has gone on to prove quite the coup for the Midlands side. Despite battling relegation this season, Anderson has emerged as one of the best playmakers in the league and is set to be a prominent fixture for England at the World Cup this summer.
Eddie Howe has a conundrum in midfield as the end of the season approaches. Bruno Guimaraes is set to return from injury against Crystal Palace but has been a big miss with striker Nick Woltemade helping out in midfield. Meanwhile, all signs point to an exit for Sandro Tonali with the club ready to cash in on the former AC Milan man.
It’s set to make the midfield a key acquisition area this summer. There’s no denying that Anderson would be a real asset for the Magpies and several local outlets have carried reports of interest, including the ChronicleLive.
Speaking in October, Howe had admitted that the club made a mistake in letting the player leave for just £35 million and opened the door to a potential return.
Eddie Howe regrets Elliot Anderson sale
The Newcastle United manager said: “It certainly was a rushed deal. We were on the clock and trying to explore every avenue to find another way to avoid a points deduction.
“In terms of buy back clauses, we were not in a good bargaining position at all. So our strength to negotiate those sort of things was non-existent.
“I wouldn’t say it’s on my mind every day, but there are certain reminders in certain moments.
“It 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.
“But it’s happened and we wish Elliot nothing but success. It’s nothing at all to do with him, it’s to do with the restrictions we were under.”
Florian Plettenberg expects £120m Nottingham Forest valuation
Sky Sports transfer expert Florian Plettenberg has provided the latest over the upcoming summer transfer saga, and it doesn’t look to be good news for Newcastle United.
Taking to social media platform X, the journalist wrote: “Forest expect Elliot #Anderson to join either Manchester United or Manchester City if he leaves this summer. So far, no club has made direct contact with Forest. A fee in the region of £100-120m is being demanded. #MUFC #MCFC”
That would suggest that Newcastle United are at least third in the pecking order. The Magpies have a battle to be able to offer Anderson the chance to play in the Champions League next season and, if a £120 million valuation is true, that would go against the club’s recruitment strategy.
In other news, ‘Here We Go’: Newcastle United next transfer confirmed by Fabrizio Romano.
