Newcastle United news: Alan Shearer makes Elliot Anderson admission & Sandro Tonali tipped for AC Milan return

Alan Shearer has admitted Elliot Anderson leaving Newcastle United was ‘the best thing’ for the midfielder’s career, saying he’s ‘delighted’ with how things have panned out since.

Anderson is a product of the Magpies’ youth system but was sold to Nottingham Forest for £35million in the summer of 2024 amid a transfer merry-go-round as Newcastle looked to improve their PSR situation. Since leaving St. James’ Park, Anderson has become a key player for Forest, helping them qualify for the Europa League, while he’s also become a starter in the England national team under Thomas Tuchel - picking up six caps so far.

Anderson’s success may be a bitter pill for some Newcastle fans to swallow, given the potential he showed in the North East and the reason he had to be sold. However, Shearer thinks the move was the best option for all involved, given Anderson would have struggled to dislodge Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes or Joelinton from Eddie Howe’s midfield.

“It was the best thing. Although it was tough for Newcastle, and it wouldn’t have happened if it wasn’t for PSR,” the Newcastle legend told the Rest Is Football podcast. “But it was the best thing that happened to him, to get out and play. He wasn’t going to get in Newcastle’s midfield. You’ve got to give him credit. He wouldn’t be far away now [from getting in Newcastle’s midfield], I agree with that.

"He wouldn’t have been able to do what he has done and is doing at Newcastle. Good for him. I’m delighted for him. He’s gone from being a bit-part player at Newcastle to being one of the main guys at Forest and one of England’s.”

Newcastle-linked Conor Gallagher ‘not satisfied’ with Atletico Madrid situation

One midfielder who hasn’t played for Newcastle but has been heavily linked with them several times is Conor Gallagher. His career has moved in the opposite direction to Anderson’s, slipping down the England pecking order after struggling to pick up regular starts at Atletico Madrid - who he joined from Chelsea in 2024.

With just two starts and 340 minutes under his belt in La Liga this season, Gallagher has admitted he is not happy with his lack of opportunities. “I’m not satisfied. I don’t think anyone will be if they don’t play as much as they would like, but I will continue to work very hard to, whenever I have the opportunity, help the team and hopefully more opportunities will come to be a starter,” he told Diario AS.

"I’m very happy here. My goal is to win titles with Atleti, and I want to have a bigger role in the team. And, as I said, I’m going to continue working to the maximum to play more minutes and be able to help the team.”

On his hopes of making England’s World Cup squad, Gallagher added: he added: “That’s one of my goals. I have spoken to Thomas Tuchel and he has told me what he needs from me and what I have to do to return to the team. "And it seems that, right now, it’s very difficult for me to get to that point. But, as I said before, I will continue to do my best to get more minutes and, hopefully, return to the national team.”

Sandro Tonali tipped for AC Milan return

Sticking with the midfield theme, Sandro Tonali has been tipped by an Italian journalist for a return to AC Milan. Newcastle signed Tonali from the seven-time European champions in 2023, and after an extended period on the sidelines due to a gambling ban, the 30-time Italy international has become a firm favourite at St. James’ Park over the past 18 months.

Tonali returned to the San Siro for Italy’s 4-1 defeat to Norway in World Cup qualifying on Sunday, though he didn’t make the squad due to a lack of fitness. Speaking before that match, journalist Carlo Pellegatti insisted he is ‘quite sure’ that Tonali will return to AC Milan - but luckily for Newcastle fans, he only sees that happening far in the future.

“I’m quite sure, not next year or the next few years, Milan doesn’t have the money for Tonali’s transfer fee and salary,” Pellegatti said (via Sport Witness). “I’m sure, though, that he will return to Milan, he wants to return to Milan. I don’t know at what age, but he wants to end his career at Milan, maybe even as captain.”

Amanda Staveley backs Alexander Isak to recover from slow Liverpool start

Alexander Isak’s move to Liverpool was the transfer saga of the summer and caused no end of controversy around both St. James’ Park and Anfield.

The Sweden international is yet to get going on Merseyside, registering just one goal and one assist in eight appearances across all competitions, with Liverpool also suffering an uncharacteristically poor run of form. However, former Newcastle chief Amanda Staveley has backed Isak to be a success with the Reds, while also speaking of her ‘pride’ in Newcastle and backing the PSR rules that played a huge part in the club having to sell Isak in the first place.

“I’m just so proud of Newcastle and how they’re doing,” she said. “We just love Alex, we know he is going to do really well at Liverpool. “He’s a great player. Liverpool have got an extraordinary player. But equally, it’s great to see the forwards doing well and Newcastle performing really well. “I think the PSR rules are quite helpful and they are there to give fair competition and we navigated them well.”

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