Preston North End are interested in signing Newcastle United youngster Elliot Anderson this summer, but face a battle with Nottingham Forest.
That’s according to a report from The Sunday Mirror (03/04, p70), who claim that Anderson is attracting major interest.
It’s stated that Anderson is considered to be one of Newcastle’s best prospects in years and will only be allowed to leave on loan this summer.
Preston are thought to be ‘keeping a close eye’ on Anderson’s situation, but so are Forest and Queens Park Rangers.
Eddie Howe may yet keep Anderson at Newcastle, but if he is loaned to a Championship club, Preston want to be considered.
Anderson, 19, is currently on loan at League Two side Bristol Rovers.
With three goals and three assists in 15 games, Anderson has excelled for Rovers and been branded ‘magnificent’ by boss Joey Barton.
That’s a key factor here; Barton knows Preston boss Ryan Lowe well and the pair actually share an agent.
Barton may well have told Lowe about Anderson’s quality, putting the teenager on Preston’s radar for a summer loan move.
That’s something Lowe may have to use in the transfer window, with a cash injection from a takeover now looking very unlikely.
More loans like Cameron Archer and Sepp van den Berg may be needed with Anderson now a potential signing.
Primarily an attacking midfielder, Anderson may be viewed as competition for Daniel Johnson in a more advanced midfield role.
That’s an area where Preston do need some help, with Lowe’s North End side lacking creative options right now.
Forest boss Steve Cooper is a master of the loan market so this fight may seem a little daunting for Preston, but North End will hope that Lowe’s work with Archer shows all Premier League clubs that their youngsters can thrive at Deepdale.
A quick decision over Anderson is unlikely, and Preston may need to be patient if they want the Newcastle talent to arrive this summer.