Newcastle United sent ‘hefty fee’ warning as Magpies hit with £110m transfer demand

Newcastle United’s summer transfer ambitions have hit early turbulence, as their pursuits of Anthony Elanga and Joao Pedro have been met with firm resistance from Nottingham Forest and Brighton & Hove Albion.

These two attacking talents, long admired by Eddie Howe and his recruitment team, remain central figures at their respective clubs, making negotiations increasingly complex.

Anthony Elanga, in particular, has been on Newcastle’s radar for some time. Their initial move came last summer, when the club tabled a substantial £35 million bid during discussions involving Elliot Anderson.

The deal ultimately led to Anderson’s departure to Nottingham Forest, with Odysseas Vlachodimos arriving at St. James’ Park in return. The Greek goalkeeper, however, saw limited action and served primarily as a backup, casting doubts over the net gain of that transaction.

Since then, Forest have significantly increased their valuation of Elanga. With no pressure to sell under the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR), Forest feel no urgency to entertain bids unless they are well above market expectations.

Club sources close to the City Ground describe Elanga as an integral part of Nuno Espírito Santo’s strategy, especially as the club eyes a deeper run in European competition and a possible future push for a Champions League berth.

As such, any Newcastle approach would need to surpass the £50 million threshold just to initiate serious discussions.

Even with speculation swirling, Forest have been quick to dismiss rumors of any formal Newcastle inquiry. Meanwhile, St. James’ Park has remained silent, refusing to either confirm or deny interest in the Swedish winger.

Should a bid eventually emerge, Forest insiders indicate they would demand a premium due to Newcastle being a direct competitor for European qualification next season.

The north-east club finds itself in a delicate position—keen to strengthen, but wary of entering an inflated bidding war that could throw off their summer strategy.

On the south coast, a similar story is unfolding with Brighton’s Joao Pedro. The Brazilian forward has been on Eddie Howe’s radar since his managerial tenure at Bournemouth.

Newcastle first tested the waters in 2022, lodging a £30 million bid when Pedro was still at Watford. However, no further advances followed, even when Watford dropped into the Championship.

Brighton capitalized on that hesitation, sealing a £32 million move for the striker, who has since flourished under Roberto De Zerbi.

Pedro’s stock has only risen since arriving at the Amex Stadium, where he has scored 30 goals across all competitions. That output, coupled with his age and three Brazil international caps, has prompted Brighton to set an estimated valuation around £60 million.

Much like Forest, Brighton have no incentive to sell unless a club is willing to meet their terms. For Newcastle, securing Pedro’s signature would require not only a significant financial outlay but also a decision to commit a sizable portion of their budget to a single acquisition.

Both Elanga and Pedro represent the type of high-impact attackers Howe envisions to elevate Newcastle’s competitive edge, particularly as the club looks to solidify its place among the Premier League elite.

However, the financial realities and negotiating stances of their current clubs make any deal challenging, if not improbable without considerable compromise.

While these marquee targets remain elusive for now, Newcastle have managed to finalize at least one piece of business with the acquisition of Spanish teenager Antonio Cordero from Málaga.

The promising youngster’s signing was confirmed last week, offering a glimmer of progress in an otherwise sluggish transfer window. Despite his potential, the club’s immediate plan involves sending him out on loan to gain valuable first-team experience in a top European league.

Currently, Ajax has expressed interest, but there are also active inquiries from clubs in Germany and Spain. A decision on his destination will depend on which team can offer consistent playing time and a competitive development environment, essential for his long-term growth.

Howe is not expected to include Cordero in the senior squad during preseason unless other transfer plans fall through or injury concerns arise.

With the window still open and plenty of time left, Newcastle’s recruitment efforts are far from over. But early signs suggest it will take creative maneuvering, financial flexibility, and perhaps a touch of patience if they’re to secure their top targets.

As things stand, Newcastle are treading cautiously, aiming to strike the right balance between ambition and sustainability—no easy feat in a market where every rival is watching and every deal demands premium pricing.