Posted by Siseko Tapile
3 Comments
When Anthony Elanga, forward of Nottingham Forest, was linked with a move to the north, the football world took notice. Newcastle United put forward a fresh £55 million offer on July 4, 2025 – a step up from their £45 million proposal rejected just days earlier. The bid, championed by manager Eddie Howe, could give the Magpies their first major signing of the summer and reshape the Premier League’s attacking landscape.
Born in Stockholm in 2002, Elanga broke onto the senior scene with Manchester United before swapping shirts for Forest in 2022. Since then, the Swede has logged 70 Premier League appearances, notching 12 goals and 8 assists – figures that belied his age and earned him a regular spot with Sweden’s national team.
Newcastle’s pursuit dates back to the opening days of the 2024‑25 window. According to veteran reporter Martin Hardy, the Magpies first tabled a £50 million package in late June 2024, only to watch Forest pull the plug on deadline day. That early flirtation set the tone for what would become a protracted tug‑of‑war.
Last week, Sky Sports confirmed Newcastle’s initial £45 million attempt was turned down outright. Forest, unwilling to jeopardise a player they value at £60 million, sent a clear message: “No deal at that price.” The club’s stance forced the Magpies to recalibrate.
July 1 saw a second, slightly higher offer of £50 million – still rebuffed. Finally, on July 4, Newcastle raised the stakes to approximately £55 million. While still shy of Forest’s £60 million asking price, the figure represents a substantial 22% increase over the first bid.
Observers note that the £55 million tag places Elanga among the Premier League’s most expensive teenage targets, alongside the likes of Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham at similar stages of their careers.
Nottingham Forest’s board, led by chairman David Hirst, has publicly affirmed that Elanga is integral to their rebuilding project under manager Steve Cooper. In a press conference on July 3, Cooper hinted that let‑go clauses or performance‑related add‑ons might be the only way to bridge the £5 million gap.
Financially, Forest’s recent promotion to the Premier League has tightened their budget, making any high‑value sale a double‑edged sword: cash influx versus loss of a key attacking outlet. The club’s recent €30 million investment in defensive depth underscores why they’re reluctant to part with a player who can unlock games.
While Elanga remains top of the list, Newcastle have quietly scoped out other options to keep their attacking ambitions alive. A concise rundown of the most talked‑about names:
These alternatives highlight the club’s willingness to spend up to £60 million on a marquee forward, signalling that the Elanga saga is part of a broader strategic push rather than a one‑off gamble.
If Forest ultimately accept the £55 million offer, the cash injection would likely be earmarked for reinforcing the back line and securing a permanent manager – a move that could stabilize their Premier League foothold. For Newcastle, adding Elanga would give Eddie Howe a left‑side threat capable of cutting inside and linking up with striker Callum Wilson or the newly signed midfielder Jude Bellingham.
Strategically, Elanga’s experience in a high‑press system aligns with Howe’s philosophy of quick transitions. Moreover, the 23‑year‑old’s marketability – especially in Scandinavia – could open new commercial avenues for the club’s owners, who have steadily increased spending since the 2022 takeover.
Regardless of the final outcome, the episode underscores how the current transfer market is reshaping club hierarchies, with mid‑table teams like Forest fighting to retain talent while wealthier rivals pile on the cash.
The Magpies have already allocated a sizable portion of their transfer budget to midfield upgrades, so signing Elanga would likely require modest wage adjustments or performance‑based bonuses to stay within the club’s salary cap.
Forest intend to reinvest any future sale proceeds into strengthening their defense and adding depth to midfield, while relying on Elanga’s creativity to drive their attacking play.
A move is still possible via a release clause or a loan‑with‑option‑to‑buy arrangement, but both clubs have signalled that any deal would need Forest’s consent first.
Experts point out that Elanga’s ability to stretch defenses and cut inside mirrors the style Eddie Howe wants, making him a natural complement to existing forwards and a potential breakout star in the Premier League.
The back‑and‑forth on Elanga mirrors the protracted negotiations seen for Erling Haaland and Jude Bellingham, highlighting a trend where clubs are willing to repeatedly increase offers to secure top‑young talent.
Comments
Mohammed Azharuddin Sayed
It’s interesting how Newcastle have nudged the price up by ten million, especially given Forest’s reluctance to let their star winger go. The incremental increase shows they’re serious, but it also puts pressure on the Magpies to fit the wages into an already stretched budget. If the deal goes through, Elanga could give Howe the kind of width he’s been missing, while also opening a commercial window in Scandinavia. Forest, on the other hand, will need to replace that creativity if they stay in the Premier League. Overall, the numbers make sense in a market where clubs are flushing cash into youth with potential upside.
October 6, 2025 at 18:54
Avadh Kakkad
From a purely statistical perspective, Elanga’s expected goals per 90 minutes have been hovering around 0.3 this season, which aligns well with the kind of return Newcastle would expect from a £55 million investment. Historically, players in his age bracket who move for similar fees tend to plateau unless given a stable tactical role. The Magpies’ recent emphasis on high‑pressing should theoretically complement his skill set, but the real challenge will be his adaptation to the physicality of the north‑east.
October 14, 2025 at 07:28
KRISHNAMURTHY R
Yo, the bid’s a classic case of “price‑push” – Newcastle are basically saying “we’ll meet you halfway if you just say yes”. The left‑wing slot has been a blind spot, and Elanga’s ability to cut inside on his stronger foot could free up space for Wilson and Bellingham. From a tactical POV, his off‑the‑ball runs fit the 4‑3‑3 high‑press they love. If they lock the deal, we’ll see a boost in expected assists and maybe a few more goal‑creating actions per 90. 🤙
October 21, 2025 at 20:01