The ongoing transfer tussle over Elliot Anderson may have taken another twist this week as Manchester United’s list of midfield targets turns in a different direction.
Since leaving Newcastle United last summer, Elliot Anderson has established himself as one of the most talented midfielders in the Premier League and is now thought to be one of Thomas Tuchel’s top picks for England.
It has been suggested that Man United are pushing to sign Anderson, while Newcastle are also known to be keen on bringing the young midfielder back to Tyneside.
Nottingham Forest want £100m for Anderson, which is proving to be a stumbling block. And now, it sounds like Man United may have moved on to other targets.
Elliot Anderson not on Man Utd list of targets
As per a report from Portuguese outlet Record, Wolves midfielder Joao Gomes is expected to join Manchester United in January.
It’s said Gomes is a cheaper alternative to the likes of Anderson and Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, with the Wolves man thought to command a fee closer to €50m (£44m).
Meanwhile, a report from ESPN puts forward the list of targets United are looking at to bolster their midfield and Anderson is notably absent. Baleba is on the list once more, as are Adam Wharton and VFB Stuttgart’s Angelo Stiller.
Apparently, Anderson is keen on a return to Newcastle, and now it sounds like the Magpies might not have to compete with the lure of Old Trafford after all.
Newcastle will have to wait for Elliot Anderson
There is one problem, though: Newcastle are almost certainly going to have to wait until the summer to bag their target.
For a start, Forest do not want to sell Anderson in January and have made it very clear that they won’t let him go easily when the time comes.
In line with that, Eddie Howe said Newcastle won’t spend big in January, so any hope of a £100m deal being struck in the New Year looks impossible.
If Newcastle do push ahead with the move at any point, the deal for Anderson would severely impact them financially. The initial £35m sale of Anderson last year saved the Magpies from PSR problems, but buying him back for £65m more would set them back significantly.
Still, he might just be worth the hassle.
The post Newcastle United may be given free run at Elliot Anderson deal as Man Utd turn to Wolves ace appeared first on Geordie Boot Boys.