Anthony Elanga has been linked with a move to Newcastle United
Anthony Elanga has been linked with a move to Newcastle United
(Image: Getty Images)
Newcastle United target Anthony Elanga has sent a heartfelt message to Harry Toffolo after Nottingham Forest confirmed that the left-back would leave the club at the end of June.
Speculation has risen surrounding Elanga's future after it was reported on Friday that Newcastle wanted to reignite their interest in the 23-year-old, who has scored six goals and added 11 assists in 38 Premier League games this season. He starred for Forest as they finished seventh, securing a Conference League place.
This isn't the first time that Newcastle have wanted Elanga. The Magpies failed in an eleventh-hour bid last summer, thought to be in the region of £35million. This time around it will take north of £50m to get the ball rolling, with Forest said to want around £60m to even consider letting go of the Sweden international.
But while Elanga's personal future is up in the air, Forest confirmed that his teammate, Toffolo, would be released at the end of his contract this month. Nuno Espirito Santo's team announced their retained list following the end of the 2024/25 season and Toffolo, 29, was among those to be let go.
It appears that Elanga formed a close relationship with Toffolo, who made 57 appearances during his three years at The Reds, and he sent him a message after his exit was confirmed on Monday.
In an Instagram story, Elanga said: "What a player! And an even better person [smiling face with smiling eyes and one tear emoji and red love heart emoji].
"Good luck on your next chapter brother @harry_toff [cowboy hat face emoji]."
Elanga joined Forest from Manchester United for £15m in July 2023 and he has since become one of the standout wingers in the Premier League. Newcastle see Elanga as a real long-term prospect who could flourish under Eddie Howe. He fits the club's ideal age profile, while his relationship with Alexander Isak has played a part in interest.
Alongside Elanga, Newcastle have identified Brighton's Joao Pedro as a summer target. The Brazilian is rated high at St James' Park and has been tracked since he made the move into English football five years ago.
Pedro swapped Fluminense for Watford in 2020 and he flourished at the Hornets, scoring 24 times across three years before earning a club-record £30m move to Brighton in 2023.
Since his switch to the Seagulls, Pedro has scored 30 goals and provided 10 assists in 70 matches. That return, alongside some sublime individual performances, has caught the eye of Newcastle.
At this stage, it's unclear how many players Newcastle are going to be able to sign this summer. However, Howe reaffirmed last month that the Magpies are going to be "active" in an attempt to strengthen.
"Difficult to say on numbers, but I do think it's a window that we have to be active in and I'm sure we will be," he told reporters last month. "We haven't recruited strongly in three windows and I think eventually, that can catch up with you in the end if you continue not to change because change is an important part of the squad dynamic."