Newcastle United have finally signed Anthony Elanga, but the deal was not straightforward in the slightest.
It is a deal 12 months in the making, with Newcastle United trying to sign Anthony Elanga twice during the 2024 summer transfer window.
Eddie Howe has finally got his man one year later, with Newcastle signing Elanga from Nottingham Forest on a five-year deal. He arrives for £55million, becoming one of Newcastle’s most expensive signings ever.
It took the Magpies a lot of time to get the deal over the line, resulting in frustration from supporters.
Anthony Elanga holds a Newcastle United home shirt inside the club's training ground dressing room.
Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images
Newcastle United thought the Anthony Elanga deal was off
Incredibly, there was actually a moment that Newcastle United officials believed that the transfer was going to collapse completely.
That is according to the Athletic, who have stated that Newcastle were worried the deal was not going to go through on the evening of Saturday, 5th July.
They report that while the ‘framework’ of a deal had been agreed between the Magpies and Nottingham Forest two days earlier, there was suddenly fear that the whole thing might be off.
The transfer was complicated by Elanga changing agents. The 23-year-old was in the process of switching from Stellar to Panthera, which created huge problems for Newcastle United.
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Thankfully, those problems were overcome and Elanga is officially a Newcastle United player.
Given what has already happened this summer, there would have been outrage if the Elanga deal collapsed. Toon fans have been getting nervous, having seen the club miss out on multiple top targets like Joao Pedro, Bryan Mbeumo, Liam Delap and Dean Huijsen.
Fortunately, Elanga has not joined that list.
Anthony Elanga officially changes agents after Newcastle United move is confirmed
Having officially joined Newcastle United, Elanga’s change of agents has also now been confirmed.
Following his unveiling on Tyneside, Panthera Sports have announced that the Swedish winger has joined their agency.
Panthera Sports wrote on Instagram: “New Panther alert. Anthony Elanga joins our pride. Done deal. The 23 year old Swedish international has joined the Toon and Champions League nights await. Our Panther has transferred to current League Cup holders Newcastle United on a 5 year contract. Good luck at your new home Anthony, we’re all behind you.”
Elanga replied to the post, commenting: “Let’s work.”
There was also a message from England Women’s star Chloe Kelly, who is also represented by Panthera. She added: “Welcome to the family.”
Elanga is probably the biggest name to be represented by Panthera, with the agency also working for Villarreal attacker Arnaut Danjuma and Toulouse’s Zakaria Aboukhlal.