Liverpool 'consider surprise Prem transfer' after Eddie Howe left frustrated

Arne Slot and Eddie Howe on the touchline. (Image: Getty.)

Liverpool have reportedly sent scouts to watch Nottingham Forest star Elliott Anderson as they consider a January transfer, just a few months on from his Newcastle exit.

The 22-year-old has flourished in Nuno Espirito Santo’s top-four-chasing side after joining for £35million, so much so that he is on the fringes of an England call-up, and his form is piquing the interest of others.

The Sun claim that Liverpool have taken a close look at Anderson and will ‘want to be at the front of the queue’ if he is available to sign either in January or the following summer.

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The Reds have watched his last six games as they look to bolster Arne Slot’s midfield options, having failed to sign a defensive midfielder at the beginning of the season.

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Martin Zubimendi was identified as a top target but he publicly turned down a move to Merseyside, despite having a £51m release clause in his Real Sociedad contract.

Ryan Gravenberch has shone in a deeper role for the Premier League table-toppers, but Anderson is viewed as a welcomed addition should Forest be ready to part ways with their new midfield star so quickly.

Liverpool have extensively scouted Elliott Anderson at Nottingham Forest. (Image: Getty) SUBSCRIBE Invalid email

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And the move would come as a bitter blow to Newcastle and Eddie Howe, who claimed that they were forced into selling Anderson solely to appease the league’s Profit and Sustainability rules.

“Elliot was a sale we didn’t want to make,” Howe said in November as he launched into a rant over financial regulations. “Nobody at the football club internally wanted to make that sale but we had to.

“I think that one is a very unusual place because I think that will be happening again, not just here but at other clubs where you’re selling players for financial reasons.

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“I don’t think it’s something that has really been done a lot in the history of the game unless you’re under financial restrictions where you have to sell. A club that has financial backing but has to sell because of the rules, that’s a new one.

“I think I’ve said before I don’t understand that rationale - why we’re in a position that you’re incentivised to sell academy products.

“So for us to put all the work into Elliot, the academy, the coaches, the time, to then see him leave and now flourish for another Premier League club isn’t something I think we should be in a position to do.

“It should be more of a level field, you can sell players and have the same effect that it was with Elliot. Of course it was all profit for us, his sale, that’s why we were incentivised to sell him.”

Liverpool 'consider surprise Prem transfer' after Eddie Howe left frustrated

Liverpool 'consider surprise Prem transfer' after Eddie Howe left frustrated

Liverpool 'consider surprise Prem transfer' after Eddie Howe left frustrated

Liverpool 'consider surprise Prem transfer' after Eddie Howe left frustrated

Liverpool 'consider surprise Prem transfer' after Eddie Howe left frustrated