The interest in Nottingham Forest winger Anthony Elanga is hotting up following Newcastle United’s transfer enquiry.
Elanga has been on Newcastle’s radar for over a year after holding conversations with Forest over a potential move last summer.
The 23-year-old has established himself as a key player at Forest since joining from Manchester United for £15million back in 2023. He has since contributed 11 goals and 21 assists in 82 appearances for the club.
The Nottingham Post has reported that Forest are ‘determined’ to keep hold of Elanga after qualifying for the Conference League and value the winger in excess of £60million. That valuation is in the same region as Brentford’s valuation of Newcastle’s top target Bryan Mbeumo, who scored 20 goals and assisted a further seven in the Premier League in 2024/25.
Mbeumo’s wage demands and preference to join Manchester United have seen Newcastle turn to Elanga as an alternative, though it’s clear a deal for the Sweden international also won’t come cheap.
Newcastle’s record transfer stands at £63million paid to Real Sociedad for Alexander Isak back in 2022.
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Fresh interest in Anthony Elanga after NUFC enquiry
Arsenal’s links with Elanga will certainly raise some eyebrows as he is the same age and position as The Gunners’ top talent, Bukayo Saka and would be unlikely to replace him in the starting line-up. But Newcastle have been targeting a right winger for the past few transfer windows, an issue that has become more pertinent since the sale of Miguel Almiron in January.
Newcastle United new winger ‘a necessity’ for Eddie Howe
Jacob Murphy is the club’s only natural right winger in the senior squad heading into the new season as things stand. Although Murphy enjoyed an excellent 2024/25 season, he is 30 years old and has no direct competition.
Given the added stresses of Champions League football next season, a new right-wing option is verging on a necessity for Eddie Howe.
And the Newcastle boss was open in admitting it was an area the club would look to strengthen.
“I'd imagine we would possibly look to sign someone in that position,” Howe admitted in January. “I always say there are no guarantees with anything but the natural feeling would be that we would need a replacement for Miggy eventually."
Anthony Elanga responds to Newcastle United transfer talks
While on international duty with Sweden, Elanga was asked directly about the transfer speculation surrounding him this summer.
“I focus on what I can do and my focus today was on the match. In football there are always rumours. The most important thing is that I focus on what I can control.”
Elanga also told Swedish newspaper Expressen: “I guess there will always be scouts wherever I play. As long as I stay focused and do my best in the match.
“I just keep my focus and what I can control. That's what I can do on and off the field. I focus on the next day and action.”
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