Newcastle United entered the summer transfer window with a principal objective in mind: avoid the frustration of last year, when Eddie Howe was left chagrined after missing out on a range of top targets.
Anthony Elanga was one of those top targets, Nottingham Forest rejecting a £50m bid on deadline day in August 2024.
Nuno Espirito Santo wanted him for the term ahead, and has, in fairness, been vindicated after surprising all and securing European qualification. Newcastle might have struggled in the market, but they won on the field, clinching the Carabao Cup and returning to the Champions League. Everyone's a winner.
A deal has now been agreed for the Sweden international worth £52m, solving one of the Magpies' biggest concerns. Howe has his right-sided forward, but he needs more if last term's success is to be bettered.
With the Tynesiders' rivals all improving and stocking up with Howe's transfer targets, it's time for him to strike back and start advancing plans for some of the Premier League elite's most coveted targets.
Newcastle's transfer plans after Elanga
If Newcastle want to maintain their standing in the Premier League, they will need to add some more depth, especially now that they are back in the European theatre.
Following that thread, United's interest in Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike has been confirmed by Fabrizio Romano, with the Frenchman earmarked to provide competition for Alexander Isak after Joao Pedro joined Chelsea for a £60m fee in spite of Howe's efforts to bring him to Tyneside.
Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike
However, the front of the ship isn't the only area where the club is carrying out due diligence. Indeed, the Magpies could do with some more creativity, and Jack Grealish is emerging as an option.
According to Spanish sources, Newcastle have entered the race for the Manchester City playmaker and are felt to be leading Everton at this stage, for they boast the financial advantage and have the more compelling project besides.
Jack-Grealish
Whether Grealish would arrive for a permanent figure or on loan remains to be seen, but City would be seeking around £40m if the former were to prove Howe's preference.
What Jack Grealish would bring to Newcastle
Grealish might not have enjoyed the best couple of seasons with Manchester City, but he's still one of the most talented English footballers of his generation.
After an iconic journey with Aston Villa, the Three Lions midfielder left his boyhood club and joined Pep Guardiola's project in a British-record £100m deal, four years ago.
Manchester City's Jack Grealish during the warm up before the match
One of the most arresting ball carriers in the business, the 29-year-old would certainly add a dimension at Newcastle, ranked among the top 1% of positional peers across Europe last season for pass completion and progressive carries, as well as the top 8% for shot-creating actions per 90, as per FBref.
A carry is considered progressive if the ball is moved towards the opponent's goal at least 10 yards from its starting point or is carried into the penalty area.
His creativity and style could prove the perfect addition to a side bearing newfound pace down the flank in the shape of Elanga. In fact, signing Grealish could ensure the Swedish winger hits the ground running, quite literally, on Tyneside, with his approach somewhat similar to that of Morgan Gibbs-White, who played so seamlessly with Newcastle's new recruit at Nottingham Forest.
Nottingham Forest's Anthony Elanga
Looking at Grealish in his pomp (during his final Premier League season with Aston Villa) compared with Gibbs-White with Forest last term, you can see that Howe would have the superior man at his disposal.
Should he succeed in restoring Grealish to his apex, of course.
Prem Comparison - Jack Grealish vs Morgan Gibbs-White
Match Stats (* = per game)
Matches (starts)
Goals
Assists
Shots (on target)*
Big chances missed
Pass completion
Big chances created
Key passes*
Dribbles*
Tackles + interceptions*
Total duels (won)*
Stats via Sofascore
Gibbs-White has just come off an exceptional campaign at the City Ground, supercharging Forest's journey toward the Conference League. His success has led to a big-money transfer to Tottenham Hotspur, joining Thomas Frank's fledgling project for £60m.
He and Elanga have gone separate ways, but as the attacking midfielder said of his former teammate: "Elanga is incredible." It was in regard to the right-sided forward's pace and tenacious work rate, something Grealish will now latch onto.
Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White reacts after the match
While Grealish's £300k-per-week contract at Man City poses quite the steep obstacle for any suitor, there is hope that more agreeable terms could be agreed, perhaps with an initial loan move leading the Etihad side to share out the player's earnings.
It's more than fair. Across the past two Premier League campaigns, Grealish has only posted four goals and two assists across 40 appearances, sinking further and further into the fringe of Guardiola's squad.
And with the Spanish tactician having ostracised his record signing from his pre-season plans, there's every chance that a concrete Newcastle move would see negotiations prove slick, thus completing a United frontline that is really beginning to take shape.
Once hailed as a "magician" by Premier League icon Ashley Cole, Grealish will be desperate to restore his finest form in England's top flight before Father Time catches up with him, and under Howe's tutelage at Newcastle, he might just achieve that.
His fleet-footedness and artful playmaking would indeed do more than bring a little flair to St. James' Park; Grealish could forge a delightful partnership with Gibbs-White, steering the Toon toward even loftier heights than we've reached in recent years.
Newcastle United's Alexander Isak celebrates scoring their first goal Related
[He's just like Isak: Newcastle explore move for "unbelievable" £50m star](https://www.footballfancast.com/hes-just-like-isak-newcastle-join-race-for-yoane-wissa-after-elanga/ "He's just like Isak: Newcastle explore move for "unbelievable" £50m star")
Newcastle are planning to improve once again after agreeing a fee for Anthony Elanga.