Elliot Anderson's future at Manchester City is hanging in the balance after reports emerged that the club have been found guilty of 114 of the 115 charges against them. The 24-year-old, who left Newcastle United for Nottingham Forest in 2024 before joining City this summer, is now at the centre of speculation over his next move.
England duty and uncertainty
Anderson left Wembley with a glum expression after England's 3-2 defeat to Spain in the UEFA Nations League. Interviews were never on the cards as he was walked through by an FA minder, and requests for him to respond to media were snubbed as an inquest into City's charges took place next door. Thomas Tuchel was asked if the situation was affecting the mood of his camp, with Anderson, Nico O'Reilly and Marc Guehi all in the squad.
Their futures are uncertain as attempts are made to discover whether they have relegation release clauses or not. The Whitley Bay lad is a £116million player these days and would not be short of options if the worst comes to the worst, something widely forecasted in the football and financial worlds.
Newcastle interest and clauses
Newcastle would be interested in bringing him 'home' if he were to become available, with sporting director Ross Wilson a big fan of the man he pinched from the Magpies for just £35m in 2024. Back then, Nottingham Forest took advantage of Newcastle's desperation, but whether they'd stand a chance if vultures begin to swoop around the Etihad Stadium remains to be seen.
City have known about the potential ramifications for years. The hearing for the charges took place two years ago amid legal wrangle after wrangle. Reports that they have been found guilty of 114 of them emerged on Friday, with an appeal now in process.
Points deductions, fines, compensation to other clubs (possibly Newcastle included) and even forced relegation are all possible sanctions. A transfer ban could follow too. Despite these, it seems City haven't inserted relegation clauses in the contracts of players, with Erling Haaland's negotiated deal among those with no escape option. Anderson, signed in the summer from Forest, may be the same.
Tuchel's response and fan dreams
Asked on whether the charges were proving to be a distraction, Tuchel said: "Not for me but I can imagine for the Man City players. For the players who have more time than me, for sure I can imagine they talk about it."
For many Newcastle fans it would be a dream to see Anderson return, not least off the back of a fantastic World Cup. But the reality is United may struggle given he is now picking up a reported £300,000 per week with City, double what Newcastle are coughing up.
Unless City can stop selling him to a Premier League rival like Arsenal or, God forbid, Manchester United, the conversation would surround a global giant like Real Madrid - where some of CAA Stellar's clients are already based - or Bayern Munich. Newcastle would love to make it happen somehow, but there is a lot of water to pass under the bridge yet.
