Newcastle United are not expected to make a move to bring Elliot Anderson back to St James’ Park next year, despite the midfielder enjoying the best season of his career and earning widespread admiration across the Premier League.
That is the clear message delivered by respected journalist David Ornstein, who has explained that while a return would be emotionally appealing, the reality of modern football finances makes such a deal highly unlikely.
Anderson’s story is one that still resonates strongly on Tyneside. A boyhood Newcastle fan and a graduate of the club’s academy, he rose through the ranks and went on to make 55 senior appearances for the Magpies.
He was seen as a symbol of the club’s future, a local talent capable of growing alongside the ambitious project under Eddie Howe. However, in the summer of 2024, Newcastle were left with little choice but to sell him.
Pressures created by the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules forced the club into difficult decisions, and Anderson was sold to Nottingham Forest for £35 million, a move he reportedly did not want at the time.
Eighteen months on, that transfer looks like one of the most significant deals of Newcastle’s recent history. Anderson has flourished at Forest, becoming a central figure in their midfield and delivering consistent performances week after week.
His development has been rapid, and his value has skyrocketed as a result. It is now widely believed that Forest would only consider selling him for a fee approaching £100 million, a figure that reflects both his importance to the team and the level he has reached at just 23 years of age.
Speaking on NBC Sports, Ornstein explained that Newcastle are not expected to be part of the race for Anderson’s signature if he moves again. While there would be genuine affection for the idea of bringing him home, the financial reality makes it extremely difficult.
Newcastle simply cannot justify paying a fee of that size, particularly when they already have several high-profile midfielders on their books.
Ornstein also pointed out that Arsenal are unlikely to be involved, largely because their midfield is already packed, while other clubs remain in a state of uncertainty regarding their managerial situations.
That uncertainty could play a major role in Anderson’s next decision. According to Ornstein, Anderson is the type of player who values clarity and structure.
With the World Cup approaching next summer, the midfielder will want stability at club level to ensure he continues his upward trajectory and remains firmly in the England picture.
He has already earned six senior call-ups under Thomas Tuchel, a remarkable achievement that underlines how far he has come since leaving Newcastle.
From Newcastle’s perspective, the midfield picture is already crowded. Eddie Howe has a wealth of options, including Bruno Guimarães, Sandro Tonali, Joelinton, Jacob Ramsey, Lewis Miley and Joe Willock.
The manager has leaned heavily on Guimarães, Tonali and Joelinton this season, trusting their physicality, control and experience in big matches. Ramsey, who arrived from Aston Villa last summer, is still trying to cement his place in the starting line-up, while Miley continues to be developed carefully as one of the club’s brightest young prospects.
Joe Willock currently appears to be the odd one out. With limited league minutes this season and a contract that runs until 2027, he is the midfielder most likely to make way if Newcastle were to reshape their squad.
Even so, any major incoming deal would almost certainly require an outgoing transfer first, and that only adds to the complexity of a potential Anderson return.
Elsewhere, interest in Anderson is growing fast. Manchester United are among the clubs monitoring his situation closely, with reports suggesting they have already made informal enquiries. While a January move is considered unlikely, the groundwork is clearly being laid ahead of the summer.
United see Anderson as a player who can bring energy, intelligence and versatility to their midfield, qualities that have stood out throughout his season with Forest.
Looking back, Newcastle’s decision to sell Anderson, along with Yankuba Minteh, brought in £65 million and helped stabilise the club financially at a critical moment.
Both players have since gone on to thrive, establishing themselves at club level and earning international recognition. It is a reminder of the fine margins clubs must walk under modern financial rules, where sporting ambition often clashes with economic necessity.
For Newcastle fans, there will always be a sense of what might have been with Elliot Anderson. His rise has been a joy to watch, even from afar. But unless something dramatic changes, his future appears set to unfold away from Tyneside, with Newcastle left to admire one of their own from a distance as he continues to climb.
