Newcastle hold advance in race for £40M “magician”, he’d be Elanga’s new Gibbs-White

Newcastle United entered the summer transfer window with one clear mission: to avoid a repeat of last year’s disappointments, when a string of top targets slipped through Eddie Howe’s grasp.

One of those was Anthony Elanga, who had been a long-standing ambition for the Magpies before Nottingham Forest rejected a £50 million bid on deadline day in August 2024.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s decision to keep Elanga turned out to be a masterstroke, as the Swedish international became instrumental in Forest’s surprising push for European qualification.

Newcastle, though frustrated at the time, ultimately had the last laugh by lifting the Carabao Cup and returning to the Champions League—a sign of the progress under Howe’s leadership.

Fast-forward to the current window, and the club has successfully agreed to a £52 million deal to finally bring Elanga to Tyneside, solving a significant void on the right flank.

But as the Premier League’s elite continue to reinforce their squads, Newcastle must respond in kind. To maintain their upward momentum, Howe and his team must not only strengthen their starting XI but also add depth, particularly with the return to European competition on the horizon.

The search for a striker remains high on the agenda. Hugo Ekitike, currently plying his trade at Eintracht Frankfurt, has emerged as a serious option, with Fabrizio Romano confirming Newcastle’s interest.

The Frenchman is seen as an ideal competitor for Alexander Isak, especially after Joao Pedro opted to join Chelsea in a £60 million move, despite Howe’s best efforts to lure him north.

While Frankfurt demand a premium for Ekitike, Newcastle remain in the hunt, balancing ambition with financial sensibility.

However, goalscoring isn’t the only area under scrutiny. Howe’s system thrives on dynamism and creativity, and reports from Spain suggest Newcastle have entered the race for Jack Grealish—a player of proven pedigree who could inject flair and vision into the side.

Despite a challenging spell at Manchester City, Grealish remains one of England’s most technically gifted players. His ability to carry the ball, create chances, and dictate tempo would be invaluable, especially with a pacey outlet like Elanga now available to exploit space on the flanks.

Grealish’s underlying numbers remain strong. Last season, he ranked in the top 1% of European positional peers for progressive carries and pass completion, and the top 8% for shot-creating actions.

These are exactly the qualities Howe seeks to integrate into his evolving project. The idea of Grealish feeding passes to Elanga, or combining with Isak in attacking transitions, is a tantalising prospect for fans who dream of more silverware and deeper European runs.

Comparing Grealish’s peak Premier League season with Aston Villa to Morgan Gibbs-White’s most recent campaign for Nottingham Forest further illustrates what the former could bring to the table:

These statistics make a compelling case. Grealish offers more in terms of creativity, ball progression, and attacking involvement—qualities that Newcastle sorely lacked at times last season when forced to grind out results against low-block opponents.

Rejuvenating the former Aston Villa star’s career under Howe’s guidance could prove mutually beneficial.

That said, there are hurdles to overcome. Grealish’s £300,000-per-week salary at Manchester City is a major stumbling block.

A loan deal, potentially involving a wage-share agreement, might be the most realistic initial step. City appear willing to part ways with their record signing, having omitted him from their pre-season squad. For Newcastle, the timing could not be better.

Grealish, once labelled a “magician” by Ashley Cole, still has much to offer. With Howe’s meticulous coaching and a team environment tailored to his strengths, the 29-year-old could rediscover the form that made him England’s most thrilling attacking midfielder just a few seasons ago.

And with Elanga already providing electric pace on the flanks, Grealish could be the final piece in an attacking puzzle that sees Newcastle evolve from contenders to consistent challengers.

The project is ambitious, but so is the club’s trajectory. As the transfer window unfolds, Newcastle’s intent is clear—they’re not settling for past success; they’re building toward a brighter, bolder future.