Newcastle United have been told they need more than just Anthony Elanga as a £55million deal inches closer.
Troy Deeney has urged Newcastle United to sign four players to give Eddie Howe the best chance of attacking Champions League football.
The Magpies are close to agreeing a big-money move for Nottingham Forest winger Anthony Elanga. Should the winger arrive, he will become the first major addition at St James’ Park for three transfer windows.
Eddie Howe squeezed every drop of talent from Newcastle’s squad last season to achieve Champions League qualification and Carabao Cup success. A lack of incomings was compounded when Miguel Almiron and Lloyd Kelly left in January to boost the PSR situation.
Newcastle United transfer landscape
Toon chiefs have money to spend but are unwilling to be held to ransom. Earlier this week, long-term target Joao Pedro snubbed a Tyneside move and joined Chelsea.
There is now confidence that the Elanga deal can be done as Newcastle inch towards Forest’s valuation. A move for James Trafford also remains in play despite Burnley playing hardball on their asking price.
Anthony Elanga the ‘perfect fit’
Speaking to talkSPORT, former Premier League striker Deeney insisted Newcastle need “three or four” new faces this summer. He said: “To be totally fair to Murphy as well, he's punched well above his weight, hasn't he, if we're being totally honest.
“He's been exceptional for Newcastle but you do need that balance. Also, when Anthony Gordon's out, that lightning pace, they're a bit short of that as well. So I think Elanga coming in is a perfect fit.
“Newcastle need a second striker now to back up if Isak is out. (They will be) a little bit disappointed, obviously, that they missed out on Joao Pedro. Liam Delap seemed to have turned his nose up at it as well, so they'll have to go and get somebody.
“But I think as a fit for Newcastle now, when you start looking at what Eddie Howe is doing, you can see deliberate moves now. They'll want to go and get three or four players that are deliberately fitting to the system that's already in place, so people know what they're doing.”
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“With Newcastle, they can't afford to let Murphy go,” Deeney added. “Because now you're seeing just how difficult it is for clubs to play three games in a week, especially with European competition as well. I think there's going to be certain games where Elanga and Gordon have to start on the bench.
“And they're probably going to look at it and go, if we've got Murphy and Harvey Barnes, that's a very good second (option) in those positions.
“Looking at the midfield, when they lost even one of those three, when that three's fit, Tonali, Joelinton and Bruno (Guimaraes), it's fantastic. When they lose one, it just doesn't work. So they need to try and find another one as well.”
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