Newcastle United are hoping to complete a deal for Nottingham Forest winger Anthony Elanga in the coming days, but the story could have been very different.
The Magpies are looking to improve their options in the starting XI ahead of a return to the Champions League in the 2025/26 campaign after admissions from within the first team that the squad is not big enough to be competitive.
Newcastle United are set to be busy this summer, with several positions needing improvement ahead of next season. One of those positions is the right wing. The Magpies were forced to sell Yankuba Minteh due to PSR concerns, and Miguel Almiron completed a permanent move to Atlanta United in January.
Jacob Murphy did an excellent job for Newcastle last season, but it is clear that a new right-winger needs to join the club. Newcastle have identified Anthony Elanga as their top target in the position, and have placed a £55million bid for him.
Nottingham Forest are happy with Newcastle’s offer for Elanga, but a new report has shared that the Magpies had the chance to sign a Club World Cup star who was identified as an alternative to him.
Karim Adeyemi during a Club World Cup game between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund.
Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images
Newcastle United were offered Karim Adeyemi before Anthony Elanga
While other players have been enjoying some well-deserved time off after a long season, Karim Adeyemi and Borussia Dortmund have been in the USA for the Club World Cup.
The Bundesliga side have been knocked out of the competition after losing in a thriller against Real Madrid on Saturday evening, so their post-season break has now started. However, Adeyemi could have been called into action much earlier than expected.
Adeyemi was identified as an alternative to Elanga at Newcastle after an initial bid of £45m was rejected by Forest. The winger is under contract until 2027, but he could be moved on this summer.
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According to Newcastle World, Adeyemi, who is known for his speed, was offered to Newcastle earlier in the summer, but the Magpies always had Elanga in their sights rather than anyone else.
Adeyemi, who joined Dortmund for £25m in 2022, is now believed to be valued at around £45m. He would be cheaper than Elanga, but he may not be able to perform to the same ability as Elanga is expected to under Howe.
Karim Adeyemi is happy to stay at Dortmund despite Newcastle United offer
As well as Adeyemi, Newcastle were reportedly interested in signing one of Johan Bakayoko and Mohammed Kudus this summer.
However, that was after Newcastle’s first offer for Elanga had been rejected. Newcastle may go back in for one of them, but they face competition from other Premier League clubs for his signature.
Nottingham Forest want to replace Elanga with Bakayoko, and Kudus has attracted interest from Tottenham Hotspur, so the Magpies may be forced to look elsewhere if the deal for Elanga falls through.
Despite the offer being sent to Newcastle, Adeyemi is happy to stay at Dortmund next season. He even rejected an offer to join Napoli during the January transfer window.