Former Newcastle United midfielder Chris Waddle has criticized his former club for failing to include a sell-on clause in the transfer deal that sent Elliot Anderson to Nottingham Forest. Anderson moved to the City Ground nearly two years ago for a reported £35 million, a deal that formed part of Newcastle’s efforts to comply with Profitability and Sustainability Rules, alongside the £30 million sale of Yankuba Minteh to Brighton.

At 23 years old, Anderson has developed into one of the Premier League’s standout midfielders, attracting significant interest from other top-tier clubs. Reports indicate that Manchester City are close to agreeing a transfer valued at around £130 million for the English midfielder. Because Newcastle did not negotiate a sell-on percentage at the time of Anderson’s original transfer, the club stands to gain nothing from the potential high-value move.

Waddle described the decision as a major oversight, saying Newcastle missed out on a potentially substantial financial benefit. He noted that Anderson was well-regarded within the club but had limited prospects for regular first-team action, which prompted the decision to sell. Waddle expressed surprise, stating that including a sell-on clause would have been a sensible protective measure given Anderson’s talent and subsequent rise.

Newcastle have remained silent on the matter publicly, while Anderson’s continued development highlights the challenges clubs face in balancing immediate financial needs with long-term player valuation. The situation underscores the growing importance of contractual details such as sell-on clauses in modern football transfers, especially when young players rapidly increase in market value following initial moves.