WBA now eye swoop for 19 y/o "huge talent" who's like "Maradona", Bruce will love him - opinion

West Bromwich Albion are amongst the plethora of clubs interested in taking on Newcastle starlet Elliot Anderson next season, with the 19-year-old midfielder currently on loan at League Two Bristol Rovers.

According to TEAMtalk, West Brom, as well as Middlesbrough, Coventry City, Reading and Stoke City, are interested in the young Englishman, who will be allowed to depart on loan again.

The current Gas loanee, whose side are two points off the automatic promotion places in League Two, has heavily impressed for Joey Barton’s side in the second half of the campaign, scoring six goals and registering three assists in 18 league appearances.

Now it seems as though the North East club are keen to allow the attacking midfielder to step up two divisions and go out on loan in the Championship next season.

At just 19, Anderson has already received some serious praise, particularly from Rovers manager Barton who labelled the youngster as ‘the Geordie Maradona’.

The former Newcastle player also claimed: “Elliot has been brilliant for us from the first day we brought him in.

“I would have paid to watch him tonight, he was that good. He is growing into the shirt and his goal capped an outstanding performance.

“Elliot is a huge talent. He excites you and tonight he showed a different gear to be the stand-out player on the pitch.”

According to SofaScore, the £180k-rated maestro has been the Gas’ second-best player this term, averaging a 7.07 match rating, only bettered by Antony Evans’ 7.27.

The 19-year-old currently averages 63.8 touches a match whilst having 3.3 shots and produces 32.2 passes at an accuracy of 78%.

Although Anderson is playing fourth-tier football, his average league rating is only bettered by one current Baggies