Brighton's Joao Pedro (left) and Anthony Elanga of Nottingham Forest
Brighton's Joao Pedro (left) and Anthony Elanga of Nottingham Forest
Newcastle United have been met with defiance from both Nottingham Forest and Brighton & Hove Albion in their pursuit of Anthony Elanga and Joao Pedro this weekend.
Both stars have been long-term targets of United and are on the wish-list of Eddie Howe who is eager to bolster his squad in the summer trading period. However, both the Sweden international and Brazilian forward are very much part of the plans at both clubs.
After a frustrating start to the summer window for Howe and his backroom team, here's the state of play at St James' Park on transfers.
Anthony Elanga
This isn't the first time Newcastle have registered their interest in Anthony Elanga. Last summer the Sweden right winger was subject of a £35million bid from United amid the talks for Elliot Anderson.
In an act of pure desperation, Newcastle sold the Geordie boy to the City Ground and got Odysseas Vlachodimos in return with the Greek international effectively a training keeper for most of the season. Even then, Newcastle won't get any empathy from Forest who have since ramped up the asking price of Elanga with the fee set to be north of the £50m mark.
City Ground insiders say that Elanga is deemed a "core" member of Nuno Espírito Santo's team as Forest look to push on in the Europa Conference League next season and get into the Champions League. With Forest under no pressure, PSR-wise, they can hold out for a big fee and don't need to sell.
Newcastle United summer transfer target Anthony Elanga in action for Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest's Anthony Elanga(Image: Photo by Cameron Smith - Danehouse/Getty Images)
Newcastle will need to blow Forest out of the water with a big bid. Elanga would be a great signing, but if the bidding war becomes too silly, Howe may be inclined to move on.
Sources at Forest have played down talk of an enquiry after a weekend of speculation, and Newcastle have maintained a silence on the widespread reports. If Newcastle do make it to the bid stage, insiders at the City Ground say a "hefty fee" will be involved given the Magpies are deemed a direct rivals for a top five place next season.
Joao Pedro
Let's be honest, the asking price for the three-times Brazil international have never exactly been cheap. Even when Watford signed the 23-year-old from Fluminense, it cost them £11m during the 2019/20 season.
Howe has always been a fan of Pedro since his days as Bournemouth boss, and when Newcastle had money to spend in 2022, a £30m bid came in for the star's services as Newcastle scrapped against relegation. The Magpies did not bid when Watford were relegated to the Championship and he spent a season in the second tier with the Seagulls the only side to come forward and pay £32m for Pedro.
After 30 goals for Brighton since 2023, Newcastle are back for Pedro, but the cost has doubled to around £60m. Like Forest, Brighton are reluctant sellers, and Newcastle will have to spend a big part of their budget if they want to sign the South American.
Antonio Cordero
The Spanish teenager is a Newcastle player now after the club confirmed his switch from Malaga last week. Given the lack of progress in the window you'd be forgiven for wondering if Howe will give him a run in pre-season.
But as it stands, the plan is to send him on loan for the season in order to get him the regular football needed in one of Europe's top leagues. An offer from Ajax lies on the table, but Chronicle Live understands there is interest from Germany and his home country, Spain, this summer for a season-long deal.
Antonio Cordero
Antonio Cordero
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