With James Trafford already on his way, Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie reports Newcastle United may soon complete another deal to sign a £60m reinforcement and finally kickstart their summer.
James Trafford set to join Newcastle
While the narrative around Newcastle's transfer window has so far been failure, that could be about to change. The Magpies are reportedly closing in on a deal to sign long-term target Trafford in what could be the start of their summer finally turning around.
After Trafford, those at St James' Park are likely to shift their focus back towards their frontline. Although their need for a striker has been somewhat eased by the fact that Callum Wilson has put pen to paper on a new deal, they've still got their sights set on signing a new right-winger.
Just who that will be is the question. Already this summer, Newcastle have been rejected by Bryan Mbeumo and then by Joao Pedro, who now looks set to join Premier League rivals Chelsea. It's rejection that they will be frustrated by given their Champions League place, but rejection that they must move on from.
Marc-Guehi-Newcastle Related
[Even better than Guehi: Newcastle now in talks to sign £43m "top talent"](https://www.footballfancast.com/even-better-than-guehi-newcastle-now-in-talks-to-sign-giorgio-scalvini/ "Even better than Guehi: Newcastle now in talks to sign £43m "top talent"")
Newcastle are in talks to sign a defender
Alternatives mentioned so far includes Liverpool's Harvey Elliott. The 22-year-old enjoyed an excellent U21 Euros tournament - winning Player of the Tournament as England won the competition for a second time under Lee Carsley. Now available for around £50m, Newcastle could make their move.
If not Elliott, however, then it could still be one long-term target who one reporter now expects to complete a move to St James' Park this summer.
Keith Downie now expects Elanga to join Newcastle
As reported on his YouTube channel, Sky Sports' Keith Downie now expects Newcastle's deal to sign Elanga "will get done" this summer with the Swede happy to swap Nottingham Forest for Tyneside.
Downie said on his YouTube channel: “All the noises are that Elanga is the number one choice. Of course, that was Bryan Mbeumo, but it’s now been moved to Elanga, and I can see him being perfect for Eddie Howe’s style.
“I feel that deal will get done. Newcastle aren’t in competition with anyone and they know that they are close in terms of the fee. I think the player would be happy to move here from what I’m being told. And it’s a case of Newcastle coming up with the numbers.”
Elanga-Van-de-ven
“They offered £45m last week but Forest want £60m. I feel if Newcastle split the difference and offered £52-53m, they’d get the deal done, and I’d hope there will be some movement on that in the next few days. I expect Newcastle to come back in with an improved bid if they haven’t already.”
After missing out on Mbeumo and then Pedro, signing Elanga would be seen as a huge success for Newcastle who would be turning their fortunes around on the transfer front with the addition of both the Forest star and Trafford.