Elliot Anderson would jump at chance to return to Newcastle - Chris Waddle

Former Newcastle United midfielder Elliot Anderson is going to be the subject of many a transfer story this summer, especially if Nottingham Forest are relegated from the Premier League.

Elliot Anderson was sold by Newcastle United to Nottingham Forest for £35 million in the summer of 2024 as part of a desperate move by the club to comply with PSR and avoid a potential points deduction.

Nobody wanted the deal to happen, but it was felt that this was the only way to comply with time running out. Eddie Howe has spoken out several times about how he didn't want to lose the talented midfielder and has always kept the door open for a potential return.

The big issue is that, thanks to getting regular football at Forest, Anderson has managed to grow and thrive and is now an England international with the eyes of the 'Big Six' firmly on him.

Manchester City and Manchester United have designs on signing the Geordie playmaker this summer. Newcastle would love to bring him home, but it has been widely recognised that it's a deal that would likely be too expensive for the Magpies to do.

Chris Waddle reckons Newcastle could spring a surprise

However, ex-England and Newcastle hero Chris Waddle thinks Anderson's allegiances could swing things in Newcastle's favour, as he told Fruity King (via GOAL).

“Elliot Anderson is a Newcastle fan. 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.”

It's not as simple as picking a team

We're certain that if it were a simple case of picking which club to sign for, Anderson would choose Newcastle. I don't think that's really up for debate.

The problem is that the Manchester clubs, and any of the other big hitters looking to make a move, will easily be able to outbid Newcastle. We aren't in a position to make a £100 million signing this summer, and that's likely what it's going to take to free him from The City Ground.

If Nottingham Forest fail to beat the drop, that might shave a few million off the asking price, but it's still going to be a big, big chunk of anyone's transfer budget.

What's perhaps even more annoying is how Newcastle failed to insert a sell-on clause into his deal when he moved to Forest, so if they do manage to rake in £100m+, Newcastle won't see a penny for it.

We sincerely hope that whoever was involved in that transfer has been moved on since. What a mess.