Newcastle United's talented midfielder Elliot Anderson is on the verge of completing a stunning £35 million move to Premier League rivals Nottingham Forest, according to exclusive reports emerging this evening.
The 21-year-old Geordie academy product, who has been with the Magpies since childhood, appears to be the surprise casualty of Eddie Howe's summer squad rebuild as the club looks to balance the books while strengthening their European ambitions.
Forest's Ambitious Move
Nottingham Forest have identified Anderson as a key target to bolster their creative options ahead of the new campaign. The proposed deal would see the England Under-21 international make the switch to the City Ground in a transfer that has taken many by surprise given Anderson's local connections and previous importance to Howe's plans.
The move represents a significant statement of intent from Forest boss Nuno Espírito Santo, who is keen to build on last season's survival with more ambitious recruitment this summer.
Financial Fair Play Considerations
Sources close to the negotiations suggest that Newcastle's willingness to part with their homegrown talent stems from Premier League Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) considerations. As a club academy graduate, any transfer fee received for Anderson would represent pure profit on the books, giving Newcastle crucial financial flexibility.
This development comes amid Newcastle's pursuit of several high-profile targets, with the potential Anderson sale providing the necessary funds to push through other deals without breaching financial regulations.
Anderson's Newcastle Journey
Anderson broke into the first team under Eddie Howe during the 2021-22 season and made 23 Premier League appearances last campaign, scoring his first top-flight goal against Nottingham Forest in February. His technical ability, versatility across midfield positions, and relentless work rate have made him a fan favourite at St James' Park.
The potential departure of such a popular local product is likely to generate mixed reactions among the Newcastle faithful, who have watched Anderson progress through the ranks since he joined the club's academy at just eight years old.
What This Means for Both Clubs
For Nottingham Forest, securing Anderson's signature would represent a significant coup and add creative depth to their midfield options. For Newcastle, it's a pragmatic decision driven by financial necessity rather than footballing preference, highlighting the challenging balancing act facing clubs operating within PSR constraints.
Both clubs are understood to be working towards finalising the deal in the coming days as pre-season preparations intensify ahead of the new Premier League campaign kicking off next month.
