With negotiations regarding a deal for James Trafford ongoing with Burnley and confidence a deal can be done, Newcastle has also swooped in with a fresh bid to sign Anthony Elanga from Nottingham Forest.
Newcastle was in talks to sign Elanga last summer, but a move failed to materialize; the club then saw a £45 million bid for the winger promptly rejected by Forest last week. Now they have returned with a fresh £55 million bid, which hasn’t been turned down.
It hasn’t been accepted either, but given Forest’s initial stance of Elanga not being for sale, there is growing confidence from Newcastle that a deal can get done.
Newcastle United want to secure top target in Anthony Elanga
Newcastle are willing to make Elanga the club’s second most expensive signing of all time, behind his fellow Swedish international, Alexander Isak.
Over the past two seasons at Nottingham Forest, Elanga has proven himself as a fast, powerful right-winger with a good end product. He played a key role in Forest’s impressive 2024/25 season as they finished seventh in the Premier League, qualified for Europe, and reached the FA Cup semi-final.
The 23-year-old scored six and assisted 11 goals in the Premier League last term and has played a role in 32 goals in 82 appearances for Forest since his £15 million arrival from Manchester United in 2023.
Fabrizio Romano provides Anthony Elanga to Newcastle United claim
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano first broke the news of Newcastle’s new £55 million bid for Elanga, a claim backed up by Gazette sources.
And in a further update, Romano wrote, “More on the Newcastle and Anthony Elanga exclusive story. The club is optimistic to get the final green light from Nottingham Forest after a £55m bid was revealed tonight.
“Personal terms are also close to being agreed as #NUFC wants to get it done as soon as possible.”
Newcastle return for pre-season training on Monday and play their first friendly game in just over a fortnight at Celtic on July 19. The Magpies want at least Elanga and Trafford through the door by then as they close in on their first summer transfer breakthrough.
As per Romano, Trafford has already agreed to personal terms with Newcastle, who are now looking to reach an agreement over a transfer fee with Burnley.
Newcastle are yet to make a first-team signing so far this summer, with only 18-year-old winger Antonio Cordero joining the club so far. Howe’s squad has also got smaller this past week with Lloyd Kelly’s loan move to Juventus becoming permanent, Jamal Lewis being released, and John Ruddy and Callum Wilson being out of contract.
A further update is expected on the futures of Ruddy and Wilson, who are currently free agents, but Newcastle are yet to officially confirm their release. The last update from the club claimed discussions were taking place over potential new deals for the pair, but nothing has materialized so far.
Anthony Elanga on Newcastle United links
Last month, Elanga was asked about Newcastle’s interest in him while on international duty with Sweden.
He told Fotbollskanalen, “There is a lot of talk. I focus on what I can do, and my focus today was on the match. In football there are always rumors. 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 on 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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