Eddie Howe isn't known for showing regret, but after Sunday's 1-1 draw at Nottingham Forest, he couldn't hide the emotion when talking about Elliot Anderson's exit from Newcastle United.

The young midfielder scored a late equalizer against his former club, adding another twist to a transfer saga that clearly still stings at St. James' Park. Anderson left Newcastle in 2024 for around £35 million, a move forced largely by the club's need to comply with Profit and Sustainability Rules. For Howe, it's a decision that still hurts.

Anderson's rise at Nottingham Forest this season has been remarkable. His composed finish against Newcastle showed exactly why he's rated so highly in the game. Howe admitted the transfer was one Newcastle never wanted to make.

"It was something we regretted when we were doing it," Howe said. "We knew that would be a very, very painful transfer, one that we had to do. We had no choice, but it was probably the most reluctant transfer I'll ever do, because we knew the quality of the player."

Those words highlight the tough balancing act Newcastle faces in today's financial landscape. Top-level clubs are often forced into uncomfortable decisions, and losing a homegrown talent like Anderson—with his potential and connection to the club—made it especially hard to swallow.

Howe's admiration for the midfielder was clear as he reflected on Anderson's time at Newcastle.

"We'd seen him close up for a number of years training with us. He was beginning to break into the team and he was being for me, the back end of that season, really effective in a number of different positions," Howe said. "It really hurts to see him do that against us today. He's going to go and have a fantastic career, wherever his career takes him. He's a great lad as well, so it's painful for us to take, but he's an outstanding player."

For Newcastle fans, these words will only add to the sense of what might have been. In a sport where financial rules often dictate decisions, some departures leave a scar that lasts long after the transfer window closes.