Newcastle enter race to land £25m “phenomenon”, he’d be a better signing than Elanga

Fresh off their Carabao Cup triumph and Champions League qualification, Newcastle United are preparing for a crucial summer transfer window that could define their ability to compete on multiple fronts next season.

While the Magpies have reluctantly withdrawn from the Bryan Mbeumo sweepstakes, Eddie Howe’s recruitment team has identified an intriguing alternative that could provide superior value – Manchester United outcast Jadon Sancho.

The 25-year-old winger’s career has reached a crossroads after Chelsea paid £5 million to cancel their obligation-to-buy clause following his loan spell.

This unexpected availability has alerted several Premier League clubs, with Newcastle now joining Aston Villa and Tottenham in the race for a player whose underlying numbers suggest he’s primed for redemption.

Jadon Sancho vs Anthony Elanga: 2024/25 Comparison

Sancho’s technical qualities remain elite despite his well-documented struggles at Old Trafford. The England international finished last season ranking among Europe’s top wingers for pass completion (90th percentile), progressive carries (87th percentile), and successful take-ons (84th percentile) according to FBref.

His versatility – equally comfortable on either flank or as an attacking midfielder – makes him an ideal fit for Howe’s fluid system, which frequently rotates forwards across multiple positions.

The financial argument for Sancho over Elanga appears compelling. Nottingham Forest’s £55 million valuation for Elanga looks steep compared to Sancho’s available £25 million price tag, especially when considering the former Dortmund star’s superior creative output (10 assists last season) and proven pedigree in elite competitions.

While Elanga has flourished under Nuno Espirito Santo, his underlying metrics – including just 0.7 successful dribbles per game at a 39% success rate – suggest he may have reached his ceiling.

Sancho’s career statistics reveal a player who has consistently produced when deployed in his preferred roles:

Jadon Sancho – Career Performance by Position

Howe’s reputation for revitalizing careers could prove pivotal in this pursuit. The Newcastle manager has previously transformed struggling talents like Joelinton and Miguel Almirón into key contributors, and Sancho’s skill set – particularly his ability to break lines with dribbling and incisive passing – aligns perfectly with the Magpies’ counter-attacking approach.

At a quarter of his original £73 million transfer fee, Sancho represents a low-risk, high-reward opportunity for a club looking to maximize their budget while adding Champions League-caliber quality.

With Forest demanding premium prices for Elanga and other targets like Mbeumo embroiled in bidding wars, the Manchester United castoff may emerge as the shrewdest addition to Newcastle’s evolving squad as they prepare for their most demanding season in two decades.

The coming weeks will reveal whether Newcastle can convince Sancho that St. James’ Park offers the ideal environment to rediscover the form that once made him one of Europe’s most feared wingers.

If successful, this could become one of the summer’s most astute pieces of business.