Anthony Elanga of Nottingham Forest celebrates following the team's victory in the penalty shoot out during the Emirates FA Cup Quarter Final match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Nottingham Forest at Amex Stadium on March 29, 2025 in Brighton, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)placeholder image
Anthony Elanga of Nottingham Forest celebrates following the team's victory in the penalty shoot out during the Emirates FA Cup Quarter Final match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Nottingham Forest at Amex Stadium on March 29, 2025 in Brighton, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Newcastle United are determined to land Anthony Elanga this summer - but it appears Nottingham Forest are reluctant sellers.
And while Eddie Howe has made no secret of his desire to sign the Sweden winger, with a number of failed bids, this summer and last, Newcastle are yet to tempt Evangelos Marinakis into a sale, with Forest proving reluctant sellers of one of their star men.
The Magpies have been frustrated this summer in attempts to sign a number of players right at the top of Eddie Howe’s wanted list. Liam Delap opted for Chelsea for more guaranteed playing time, while Dean Huijsen was seduced by Real Madrid, despite United’s best attempts to land the then AFC Bournemouth defender. Bryan Mbeumo’s astonishing wage demands turned them off to any deal, while Joao Pedro only had eyes for London’s west end when news broke the Blues were set to come calling.
But their interest remains in Elanga, first courted on deadline day in the summer of 2024. And they’ve been encouraged to remain at the table, with noises from the player’s camp suggesting he would be keen to make the switch to Tyneside.
But, getting the player to give the nod appears to have been the easy bit for NUFC’s transfer team, with Forest proving a tough nut to crack when it comes to a fee. It’s been reported Forest would talk if a bid in the region of £60m comes in. But Newcastle’s valuation is thought to be lower than that, with bids tabled so far totalling less than £50m.
While there is willing and cash to deal from a Newcastle perspective, and the player is keen, it remains to be seen whether United can convince Forest to part with Elanga. They have no desire to sell, are under little financial pressure to do so, and are keen to strengthen their ranks, not weaken them, with a return to European football on the cards for the first time since 1995/96.
Marc Guehi to Newcastle United off - as things stand
Newcastle have absolutely zero want to get involved in any protracted transfer sagas. That was exactly what played out last summer with Guehi, as Crystal Palace chief Steve Parish held firm in the face of Newcastle advances. Bids north of £50m, in total, but never close to the £60m reported, are understood to have been discussed last summer, but all of that effort, driven mainly by now ex-sporting director Paul Mitchell, came in vain.
While Guehi is admired by United still, NewcastleWorld has learned the Magpies have already turned their attentions elsewhere. And unless situations change significantly, it's unlikely the club will make any further moves for the player, despite his decreased market valuation. Guehi has just one year left on his current deal at Selhurst Park.
Liverpool are said to be monitoring the England international, admired by Howe for his speed and quality with the ball, but are also being hit by an inflated Palace valuation of the player this summer.
Transfer breaking point - deal close
Newcastle are very close to their first deal of the summer - and, as expected, it's James Trafford.
While the deal has largely been thrashed out, there has been some last minute to and fro when it comes to finalising the terms. It’s fair to say the goalposts on this deal have been shifted on numerous occasions by the selling club.
But it is expected the Magpies will get their man, and a massively inflated fee to the one they agreed last summer.
Last year United were willing to part with around £20m for the England call-up, seen by many as the country's natural heir to the gloves post-Jordan Pickford. It's possible they will be forced to pay around £32m this summer.
Confidence remains among NUFC transfer chiefs
It's felt like a summer of 'doom and gloom' for Newcastle United. But while some level of transfer frustration is being felt acutely by those at the coal face, they remain calm and confident they can significantly strengthen the squad this summer.
Newcastle are having to be careful with their budget - which is much more than previous windows but not close to some of huge numbers quoted in some quarters. So, as ever in a depressingly boring PSR world, every penny counts.
And while domestic targets remain, with Anthony Elanga right still very much in play, Newcastle have turned their attentions to the continent in search of recruits. The hope is, more value can be extracted from players outside the Premier League, with valuations for players rocketing this summer.
Continue Reading