Newcastle on verge of £55m breakthrough – Breaking news on Thursday night

Newcastle United appear to be closing in on a major transfer breakthrough, with significant developments emerging late on Thursday night that suggest a deal for Anthony Elanga is edging closer to completion.

After weeks of negotiation and speculation, it now looks like progress has accelerated, pushing the Magpies one step closer to securing their priority attacking target for the summer.

The latest twist came courtesy of renowned transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, who reported that Newcastle have tabled an improved offer worth £55 million for the Swedish winger.

This bid follows an earlier £45 million proposal that Nottingham Forest swiftly rejected last week. According to Romano, Newcastle have returned to the table with a renewed determination, and they’re now “pushing to get it done,” suggesting talks between the clubs have moved into a decisive phase.

Shortly after Romano’s update, Craig Hope, a well-connected journalist for The Mail based in the North East, added even more weight to the reports. He stated that Newcastle are “on the verge of agreeing a deal” with Forest.

His report highlighted that “significant progress” had been made throughout Thursday as negotiations continued late into the evening. With a revised bid officially submitted and the two clubs edging closer on valuation, a resolution appears to be within reach.

Crucially for Newcastle, personal terms are believed to be a formality, with Elanga reportedly open to the move and eager to take the next step in his career. Manager Eddie Howe has admired the 23-year-old for some time and even attempted to bring him to St James’ Park last summer.

Despite that pursuit falling short, the club has continued to monitor Elanga closely, and Howe remains convinced that the former Manchester United prospect would be a perfect fit for his high-energy system.

Howe is particularly attracted to Elanga’s raw pace, direct dribbling, and attacking output. Last season, the Forest winger delivered an impressive return of six goals and eleven assists across all competitions, showcasing his growth and maturity in the final third.

At just 23, he still has considerable room to develop, and the Newcastle boss believes that the right environment and coaching setup on Tyneside can unlock his full potential.

With the Magpies looking to add more firepower ahead of a demanding 2025/26 campaign, Elanga’s arrival would represent both a statement of intent and a solution to a long-standing issue on the right wing.

The club’s pursuit of Bryan Mbeumo earlier this summer eventually fizzled out, largely due to wage demands and Brentford’s reluctance to sell.

In contrast, the Elanga deal has gained momentum in recent days, and all indications suggest a positive outcome is imminent.

Should this £55 million move materialize, it would signal Newcastle’s most substantial signing of the window so far and reinforce their ambition to return to the top tier of English and European football.

For Elanga, it offers the chance to play a key role in an exciting project, under a manager who sees him as central to his plans. For Newcastle, it’s a potential game-changer—bringing in a dynamic wide player who can provide goals, assists, and relentless energy from the flanks.

With negotiations at an advanced stage, all eyes now turn to final confirmation as the Magpies look to get this pivotal deal over the line.