What Elliot Anderson was told before he agreed to leave Newcastle United

Add as preferred source on Google

Newcastle United solved their PSR problem before June 30th, and were massively helped out by Elliot Anderson agreeing to leave the club.

While the Magpies seemingly always had plans to sell Yankuba Minteh, his £33million departure to Brighton was not going to be enough to get Newcastle out of the hole that they had dug.

They needed another sale, and that came when Elliot Anderson swapped St James’ Park for the City Ground. He is now a Nottingham Forest player, with Nuno Espirito Santo’s side paying £35million for the midfielder.

It is massively disappointing to see Anderson leave, but a departure was necessary. The alternative was a points deduction, so Anderson had to go.

Elliot Anderson initially wanted to stay at Newcastle United

Before Anderson’s move to Nottingham Forest, he was also linked with Wolves. The Magpies offered him in exchange for Max Kilman, but they turned down that bid.

Following that offer, it was reported that Anderson really wanted to stay at St James’ Park and sign a new contract. However, he was gone in less than a fortnight.

It was a shock to see him depart, and now The Telegraph have provided details of what Anderson was told by Newcastle before he decided to accept a move away.

According to the Telegraph, Anderson was initially keen to stay at Newcastle, before being told that he would be third choice to play on the left of Eddie Howe’s midfield three behind Joelinton and Joe Willock.

With minutes likely to be limited due to a lack of European football, Anderson agreed to go.

Anderson departure is sad but makes sense

Ignoring PSR, it is devastating to see Anderson leave. He is a local lad and someone who has come through the academy, establishing himself as a first-team player under Eddie Howe.

During his time in the first-team, there were moments of real quality that made you realise that this lad was going to be a star in black and white. He was brave and confident on the ball, always trying to make things happen. On top of that, he had the work rate and desire that Howe demands from his midfielders.

We all want to see Geordies play for the club, yet now one has had to be sold for financial reasons. It is a massive shame.

However, it would have been much harder for Anderson to get in the team this season. While he is immensely talented, Newcastle are well stocked in the middle of the park. And with Joelinton and Willock ahead of him in the pecking order, a departure from Tyneside does make sense.

It is disappointing, but it was essential. Newcastle simply had to raise funds, and they did that by moving on a player who is third choice in his position for £35million. When you look at it like that, it was a brilliant bit of business by Newcastle, even if it sums up just how ridiculous the PSR rules are.