Nottingham Forest fans have reacted after Newcastle United placed a £55m bid for star winger Anthony Elanga, a deal which could be done in the next few days.
Talks are progressing between the two clubs, with the hope that the 23-year-old will be an early arrival to Eddie Howe’s pre-season training next week.
Newcastle United were clearly unfazed after Nottingham Forest rejected a £45m approach for Anthony Elanga in June and have come straight back in with an improved offer in the region of £55m. Forest fans think Elanga is worth more than £55m, but they may have to settle for that transfer fee as talks progress.
Reports suggest that Newcastle are finalising add-ons with Forest for Elanga after agreeing on an up-front fee for the Sweden international. In signing Elanga, Eddie Howe will be getting one of his long-term targets, with the Magpies making an offer for him on deadline day last summer.
With talks progressing and Newcastle eager to get the deal done, fans have one person to thank for his efforts behind the scenes.
William Osula looking into the camera after a Premier League game between Newcastle United and Everton.
Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images
Newcastle United should thank William Osula for the Anthony Elanga deal
The winger has been brilliant with Forest over the last two seasons, registering 32 goal involvements. However, they may have seen the last of him in a red shirt as he looks to swap for the black and white stripes.
A bonus for Newcastle is that personal terms should not be an issue for Elanga, who would play alongside Alexander Isak and William Osula, two of his good friends at Newcastle.
Some will even argue that it is Osula’s friendship with the 23-year-old that was a driving force for the deal. The pair were seen dancing in Osula’s flat earlier this week, so they are sure to have discussed the possibility of a move at some point.
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Elanga is a regular commenter on Osula’s social media posts. At one point, the Swede even asked to be invited to a get-together when the Dane posted a video with Joe Willock and Isak.
The move has been brewing for almost a year, and it finally looks like it will happen.
Anthony Elanga gives Newcastle United a lot of experience at a young age
Despite being just 23, Elanga has played in a number of huge games which can only mean good things for his move to Newcastle.
Elanga has played Champions League football against the likes of Atletico Madrid and was part of Manchester United’s Europa League team that reached the final in 2021.
The winger is well aware of what he needs to do for Newcastle to make them competitive in the Champions League, and it is up to Howe to get him up to speed with the Magpies’ style of play. Elanga is joining from a team that usually plays a slower, defensive style of football. Fans will hope that he can adapt to Howe’s high-intensity attacking philosophy.
Elanga will be aware that he is not the finished product, but with the right training and good performances on the pitch, he will likely enter his prime years and beyond on Tyneside.