SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY have become the latest club to table a formal loan offer for Elliot Anderson, but Eddie Howe remains determined to give the teenager a chance to use pre-season to stake a claim for a first-team spot at Newcastle United.
Anderson made a huge impression in the second half of last season as his seven goals in 21 appearances helped Bristol Rovers win promotion from League Two.
His loan spell at the Memorial Ground is now at an end, and while Rovers boss Joey Barton is keen to re-sign him for next season, a number of clubs in both the Championship and League One have also expressed an interest in recruiting the 19-year-old.
West Brom, Reading and Stoke are all understood to have made contact with Newcastle officials, and Sheffield Wednesday have now become the latest club to spell out their desire to sign Anderson for next season.
The Owls are regrouping after their defeat to Sunderland in the play-off semi-finals, and see the youngster as an exciting proposition capable of leading their line next term.
There is a good chance Anderson will be leaving Tyneside again to further his footballing development, but Howe remains keen to give him an opportunity to train and play with the rest of Newcastle’s first-team squad before a decision is made over his future.
As things stand, Anderson is due to report for pre-season training at the start of next month, with a view to him featuring in the Magpies’ pre-season games.
“He’s excelled,” said Howe, when asked about Anderson’s prospects at the end of last season. “We’ll certainly bring him back for pre-season. I’ll have a close look at him. He’ll be involved in pre-season games. We’ll make a decision then on whether he needs another loan, or whether he’s going to stay with us.”
Isaac Hayden has already left Newcastle on loan this summer, with Norwich City having agreed a clause that could see them complete the permanent signing of the midfielder in 12 months’ time.
Goalkeeper Freddie Woodman is on the verge of agreeing a similar deal with Preston, with the Lilywhites keen to sign the goalkeeper on a season-long loan, with a view to a full-time deal next summer.
Bournemouth are interested in re-signing winger Matt Ritchie, while Dwight Gayle is attracting strong interest from a number of Championship clubs, including Middlesbrough and West Brom.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here