The latest Premier League transfer headlines from Newcastle United and Nottingham Forestplaceholder image
The latest Premier League transfer headlines from Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest | Getty Images/ Canva
The latest Premier League transfer rumours - with updates from Newcastle and Nottingham Forest
In a deal 12 months in the making, Newcastle United have finally confirmed the signing of highly-rated Nottingham Forest winger Anthony Elanga.
It marks the club’s first right-winger signing since before the Saudi-led takeover in 2021 when the club signed Miguel Almiron for a then club-record fee of around £21m way back in 2019.
Elanga is the first marquee arrival at St James’ Park since Harvey Barnes in July 2023 and sends out a statement of intent after a glorious season which saw the club win a major trophy and secure Champions League qualification.
However, with PSR problems no longer acting as a big barrier to Newcastle transfer activity as was the case in 2024, it’s suspected that the team’s summer business is far from finished, and the next name on their shortlist is understood to be Italian international Giorgi Scalvini from Serie A side Atalanta.
Newcastle United push to sign Giorgio Scalvini
The I Paper understands Giorgio Scalvinii is a top target for Newcastle United as they look to bolster their centre back options ahead of the new season.
Last term’s first choice duo of Dan Burn and Fabian Schar are both in their mid 30s while the once imperious Sven Botman, who thrived in the 2022/23 season has struggled since his knee injury in September 2023 which was later operated on in March 2024 as it became apparent he was suffering from anterior cruciate ligament problem.
The Magpies will compete in a minimum of 48 matches next season which stretches well above 50 matches if the club are to have another push for cup glory and progress to the latter stages of Europe.
They are keen to strengthen their squad depth in that area leading to interest in Scalvini. The 21-year-old Italian international is believed to be valued at around £50m but the one concern surrounding him that the recruitment team is the fact that he’s only made just six Serie A appearances this term after sustaining an ACL injury in the build-up to Euro 2024.
The 3AM verdict: Newcastle’s pursuit of Giorgio Scalvini presents obvious risks due his injury record but even greater reward which means he’s a player that the club should look to target.
Aged just 21, Scalvini is proven in Serie A, having played 89 matches already at that level for one of the division’s top clubs. He’s also been capped eight times for Italy, has formed a key part of an Atalanta team which has won the Europa League and reached a Coppa Italia final.
Newcastle notably took a punt on Tino Livramento after his ACL injury at Southampton and were able to get their hands on one of the country’s very best full-backs for a cut-price fee of around £32m without little competition.
As long as Scalvini’s minutes are managed properly, if he was to arrive, it could move a masterstroke deal for the Magpies.
Nottingham Forest target £22m Anthony Elanga successor
Nottingham Forest have lost their chief creator after Antony Elanga’s exit to Newcastle United.
The Swedish international found the net six times last term and contributed 11 assists, making him the joint third highest creator in the league behind only Mohamed Salah and his new teammate Jacob Murphy.
Elanga is blessed with blistering speed and the ability to beat defences leaving a void in the Forest side which the recruitment team could look to fill by signing PSV Eindhoven’s Johan Bakayoko.
Bakayoko managed 12 goals and three assists from 47 appearances across all competitions, a slight dip from the 14 of each he managed in the previous season.
However, at 22, he’s rated highly by Forest with Fabrizio Romano suggesting that the City Ground club along with Everton and Bournemouth could all move for the winger, valued at around £22m.
The 3AM verdict: Nottingham Forest have already lost one of their standout performers in Anthony Elanga to Newcastle while it seems almost inevitable that they’ll also lose Morgan Gibbs-White to Tottenham as that particular transfer saga continues to dominate the headlines.
They are clearly in need of depth in wide areas and look to have identified a real gem in Bakayoko*. The Belgian international is blessed with terrific speed, dribbling ability and pace which makes him hugely suited to their system, and while he’s still raw in terms of end product, under the management of Nuno Espirito Santo, he could quickly blossom into a real star.*
It’s a transfer Forest should look to make with European football on the horizon and the need for the club to bolster its squad depth.
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