Millwall want to sign Elliot Anderson for next season with the Lions emerging as the front-runners for the teenager, should Newcastle United allow one of their best prospects to leave on loan.
Anderson is preparing to start pre-season with his parent club at the end of month after a brilliant five months at Bristol Rovers in which he was an influential force behind their promotion into League One.
Despite having never played senior football before, the 19-year-old made a seamless transition into life in League Two with Rovers, scoring seven goals and adding six assists in 21 games, including the promotion-clinching seventh against Scunthorpe United on the final day of the season.
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe admitted that his preference had been for Anderson to earn minutes in the Championship and the growing impression is if he is to be sent out on loan again, it’ll be to the second tier with a number of clubs having declared their interest in the Scotland Under-21 international. Scouts from a host of Championship sides were regular visitors to the Mem during Anderson’s loan spell.
South London Press report that Anderson was identified as a summer target by Gary Rowett at the end of last season, as they prepare for life after Jed Wallace, who is set to leave on a free transfer, while the Mirror’s Darren Witcoop claims the Lions are presently the most likely destination for the attacking midfielder, outside of Newcastle.
Rovers manager Joey Barton has maintained that he would love to have Anderson back in north Bristol for another season but accepts that will be challenging, given the level of interest higher up the pyramid, while fellow League One club Sheffield Wednesday have also made an enquiry.
There’s also the fact that Anderson may not be loaned out at all, should he impress in pre-season with Barton among those who believe he could make an impact on Newcastle’s starting XI next season.
Ultimately, all interested parties will have to wait until next month when Anderson’s immediate future becomes clearer. The Premier League fixtures for 2022/23 were released on Thursday with Newcastle hosting Nottingham Forest on Saturday’s August 6.
Howe’s side also have pre-season friendlies scheduled against Benfica, Atalanta and Athletic Club, starting July 26 - although more are sure to be announced.
"We'll certainly bring him back in pre-season and have a close look at him. He will be involved in the pre-season games and we will make a decision then whether he needs another loan or if he will stay with us," Howe told the Newcastle Chronicle last month.
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