Report: Newcastle prepared to sell star for £50m; he actually almost left in January
Newcastle United’s summer transfer strategy appears to be crystallizing around a bold move for Nottingham Forest’s Anthony Elanga, with Harvey Barnes potentially emerging as the sacrificial lamb to facilitate the deal.
The Magpies’ hierarchy has identified the Swedish winger as their primary attacking target, replicating their interest from last summer, but this time with a clearer pathway to completion through creative player exchanges.
Forest’s £60 million valuation of Elanga would make him one of Newcastle’s most expensive acquisitions, a figure that could be significantly offset by including Barnes in negotiations.
The former Leicester man, purchased for £39 million in 2023, finds himself in footballing limbo – too talented to discard but not indispensable enough to block a transformative signing.
His 14 goals in 63 appearances represent respectable output, yet his inability to consistently displace Anthony Gordon from the starting lineup has diminished his untouchable status.
TEAMtalk’s revelation about Newcastle’s willingness to part with Barnes contradicts earlier assurances from club insiders.
Just weeks ago, Daily Mail’s Craig Hope reported St James’ Park sources had emphatically stated Barnes “is going nowhere,” referencing how January talks of a Jacob Ramsey swap deal collapsed following the winger’s injury.
This apparent about-face highlights the fluid nature of transfer negotiations, where no player remains truly unsellable if the right opportunity emerges.
Elanga’s profile offers attributes Newcastle currently lack – blistering pace, two-footed versatility, and room for growth at just 23 years old.
His 11 goal contributions last season came in a less creative Forest side, suggesting untapped potential that could flourish alongside Alexander Isak and Bruno Guimarães.
The existing chemistry between Elanga and Isak from Sweden duty adds another layer of appeal, potentially creating one of the Premier League’s most dynamic international partnerships at club level.
Aston Villa’s lingering interest in Barnes complicates matters, providing Newcastle with alternative avenues to raise funds.
The Midlands club’s need for homegrown talent and established Premier League performers could spark a bidding war, though Forest’s preference for a direct swap involving Elanga might prove more strategically valuable than pure cash.
Financial considerations remain paramount. While Newcastle aren’t under the same PSR pressures that forced last summer’s fire sale, the club’s sustainable growth model still requires careful balancing of books.
Converting Barnes into Elanga represents more than just a tactical upgrade – it’s a financially astute maneuver that refreshes the squad’s attacking options without massively inflating the wage bill.
The coming weeks will test Newcastle’s resolve in negotiations. Forest, aware of Elanga’s rising stock after his role in their European qualification, will drive a hard bargain.
Barnes’ own ambitions will factor into the equation – at 27, he may crave guaranteed starts over rotational duties. What appears clear is Newcastle’s recruitment team has identified Elanga as worth reshuffling their attacking deck for, even if it means sacrificing a player who only recently seemed part of their long-term plans.
This potential transfer encapsulates modern football’s ruthless calculus: sentimentality yields to progress, and today’s key contributor becomes tomorrow’s bargaining chip in the relentless pursuit of improvement.
For Newcastle, the equation is simple – Elanga’s ceiling outweighs Barnes’ current output, making this swap a gamble worth taking as they prepare for Champions League football.