£35m Premier League midfielder reveals Eddie Howe talks after Newcastle United transfer agreement
Elliot Anderson has publicly admitted he wanted to stay at Newcastle United this summer - but accepts the decision to sell him.
The Magpies’ frantic search to raise funds in order to comply with Premier League Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR) ended with the sales of Anderson to Nottingham Forest and Yankuba Minteh to Brighton & Hove Albion.
The pair were understood to have fetched in a combined £68million and United signed Greek goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos as part of the Anderson agreement. Eddie Howe didn’t want to lose either player but crucially, it allowed him to keep hold of Alexander Isak, Bruno Guimaraes and Anthony Gordon. As part of the agreement
Anderson says it was tough leaving his boyhood club having first joined aged eight but is now relishing the extra responsibility given to him by Reds manager Nuno Espirito Santo.
“I spoke to Eddie Howe, we both wanted me to stay but it is sort of... it's football now,” Anderson told Mail Online. “It was tough to make that move from your boyhood club. Ultimately it was the club's decision and it is exciting times for me personally. It is a win-win for both of us.
“It is always a little bit harder being seen as an academy graduate. Since I came to Forest I am carrying a bit more responsibility and I quite like that.”
Anderson, who cost a reported £35m, has started three of Forest’s opening four matches, including the visit of his former club in the Carabao Cup, to earn a call-up to England under-21s. He started against Northern Ireland on Friday and is due to play versus Austria tonight.
The 21-year-old has represented both England and Scotland at youth level and was even called up to the latter’s senior squad last year. However, Anderson has now committed he allegiances to the Three Lions.
Anderson added: “I see myself playing for England. It was tough because I'm Scottish and English but it's something I've been trying to decide for a while and I hope I've made the right decision. It is just how you feel, that is the most important thing. How you feel when you put the strip on and that is what swayed my decision.”