Anthony Elanga
Anthony Elanga
"Heavily overpriced." "They say £65m for Mbeumo is a lot." "£55m for what?"
These were just some of the verdicts of supporters elsewhere after submitted an improved offer .
Sound familiar?
One or two eyebrows were also raised elsewhere after Newcastle agreed a deal worth £45m for Anthony Gordon following a difficult end to the forward's Everton career.
The Magpies were also the only side prepared to pay £63m to sign Alexander Isak after the striker scored just half a dozen league goals in his final season at Real Sociedad.
The black-and-whites even stumped up £32m to bring in Tino Livramento when other long-term suitors were a little wary after the defender suffered a serious knee injury.
Anthony Gordon has worked closely with Eddie Howe
The trio have since hit new heights under Eddie Howe and coachability has been a common trait with the overwhelming majority of the Newcastle boss' top targets since he kept the Magpies up and stabilised the club in 2022.
Elanga certainly fits the bill in that regard. Newcastle are not just bidding for a Premier League ready player who registered 17 goal involvements last season; this is a 23-year-old who is desperate to get better.
"It's about playing, developing and improving every single day," Elanga humbly said just a few months ago. "I know I'm not a finished article. I feel like I can always improve in each and every single area of my game."
These were not empty words. Elanga works relentlessly with a fitness coach in his own time, has a personal chef and even spends two-and-a-half hours in the purpose-built recovery room in his house after matches - regardless of the kick-off time.
You can see why Elanga did not miss a single league game last season. You can see why the Sweden international has only failed to play in two top-flight fixtures since joining Nottingham Forest.
Elanga's durability is a huge attraction for Newcastle, who will be fighting on four fronts this season, as the Magpies look to ease the burden on Jacob Murphy.
Jacob Murphy played a key role in Newcastle United qualifying for the Champions League
Murphy certainly won't give up the shirt without a fight - if an agreement is reached with Nottingham Forest - and it is not hard to imagine intense competition bringing the best out of a player whose assist record was only bettered by Liverpool star Mohamed Salah last season.
The same goes for Elanga, whose pace could give Newcastle an added dimension in the final third. After all, this is a rapid player who scored after running 85 metres with the ball in just nine seconds during Nottingham Forest's win against Manchester United last season.
The goal was a glimpse of Elanga at his very best as the forward broke from his former club's corner kick: the lightning pace, the ability to use both feet, the composed finish...
Those qualities appeal to Newcastle, who Elanga has repeatedly hurt on the break over the years, and, interestingly, the Magpies won the majority (11) of their games in the top-flight last season while having less of the ball than their opponent.
Newcastle were even ranked among the top sides in the Premier League for direct attacks (81), which are defined as possessions that start in a team’s own half and result in a shot or a touch inside the opposition penalty area within 15 seconds, as well as shots in transition (194) and shots from fast breaks (45).
"We have a good counter-attacking team and naturally, sometimes, when you’re away, you’ll end up counter-attacking a bit more," Howe said back in April. "We’ve got good pace. We’re a threat in those moments."
Anthony Elanga has hurt Newcastle United on the break before
However, there is still room for improvement. Newcastle managed just five goals from fast breaks last season whereas champions Liverpool led the way with 14. When it came to shot ending high turnovers, Bournemouth had 21 more than Newcastle.
These are areas Elanga could certainly help Newcastle in and that is before mentioning the 23-year-old's crossing ability and set-piece delivery.
Given the pace Newcastle already possess, reaching a breakthrough with Nottingham Forest would see the Magpies assemble, arguably, the quickest frontline in the Premier League - and it still feels like there is a lot more to come from one of the top-flight's fastest players.