'Here we go' - Fabrizio Romano update makes mockery of Newcastle United transfer as record deal agreed
Premier League transfers: Elliot Anderson is set to become one of the most expensive midfielders ever - two years after leaving Newcastle United.
Newcastle United academy graduate Elliot Anderson is set to join Manchester City from Nottingham Forest for £116million.
It will see the 23-year-old England international become potentially the most expensive midfielder in football history with City set to break their transfer record.
It comes after Newcastle told Anderson to Nottingham Forest for £35million, with Odysseas Vlachodimos heading in the opposite direction for £20million. While viewed as a necessary evil for Newcastle in order to comply with PSR and avoid a points deduction, it’s a sale that has no doubt left the club thinking what could have been.
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To make matters worse for the Magpies, they weren’t in a position to negotiate any sell-on or buy-back clauses into the deal, meaning they will make nothing despite playing a significant role in Anderson’s development from the age of eight.
On Thursday night, transfer social media influencer Fabrizio Romano confirmed the deal with his signature ‘here we go’ catchphrase.
He posted on X: “Elliot Anderson to Manchester City, here we go! Deal in place between clubs for fee worth £116m.
“#MCFC sources confirm agreement now done after talks at final stages as reported last week. Anderson asked Forest [Thursday] to go and leave the club. Medical in the US.”
Anderson is currently away with the England squad at the World Cup, starting the 4-2 win over Croatia and 0-0 draw with Ghana. He is expected to complete his medical ahead of Saturday’s final group match against Panama.
While Newcastle can harbor some regret over selling Anderson to Forest, it is widely acknowledged that the player would likely not have found himself in this position had he remained on Tyneside.
Anderson himself admitted that while, earlier this week, his former Newcastle and current England teammate Dan Burn echoed that sentiment.
Speaking during an England press conference, Burn said: “I think hindsight is a wonderful thing. I don’t think [Anderson] wanted to leave Newcastle. But would he be in the position he is in now if still was at Newcastle?
“He is very composed and nothing really seems to faze Elliot from what I have seen. From him coming through as a kid, training with Newcastle, to now starting in the World Cup. Never changes character, always wanting the ball.