Nottingham Forest hit with transfer blow amid Newcastle United Anthony Elanga interest
Newcastle United’s determined chase for Nottingham Forest winger Anthony Elanga has hit another stumbling block, creating a complex transfer saga that shows no signs of resolution.
The Magpies’ latest £45 million bid met with immediate rejection from Forest, who remain adamant about retaining their Swedish international despite growing interest from Tyneside. This standoff comes amid a surprising transfer U-turn that has left Forest scrambling for alternatives, potentially hardening their stance on Elanga’s availability.
The backstory to this transfer pursuit reveals Newcastle’s persistent interest in the 23-year-old speedster. Initial approaches last summer as part of the Elliot Anderson deal collapsed when Forest insisted on including goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos instead.
A deadline day inquiry later in the window similarly failed to materialize. Elanga’s impressive subsequent season – contributing six goals and twelve assists across all competitions – only intensified Newcastle’s desire to bring him to St. James’ Park.
Eddie Howe’s urgent need for right-wing reinforcements became acute following Miguel Almiron’s January departure, leaving Jacob Murphy as the sole natural option in that position. While Murphy enjoyed a career-best season with eight goals and twelve assists, the impending demands of European football necessitate greater depth.
Newcastle’s recruitment team has identified several alternatives including PSV’s Johan Bakayoko, Dortmund’s Karim Adeyemi, and West Ham’s Mohammed Kudus, but Elanga remains their primary target.
Forest’s reluctance to sell stems from both sporting ambitions and recent transfer market setbacks. The club’s plans to reinforce their wide areas suffered a significant blow when American international Timothy Weah rejected a proposed move from Juventus.
The 24-year-old winger, capable of playing on either flank, was reportedly part of an £18.75 million package deal that would have also brought young talent Samuel Mbangula to the City Ground.
Weah’s abrupt refusal – confirmed by transfer expert Fabrizio Romano – leaves Forest short of attacking options as they prepare for their Europa Conference League campaign.
The fallout from this collapsed deal has turned acrimonious, with Weah’s agent Badou Sambague launching a scathing critique of Juventus’ handling of the situation. “To see people acting like this for money and because they are selfish disappointed me a lot,” Sambague stated.
“This is a shame.” His comments highlight the increasingly complex dynamics of modern transfers, where player power often trumps club negotiations.
For Newcastle, these developments present both challenge and opportunity. Forest’s failure to secure Weah may make them even more resistant to selling Elanga, yet it also leaves them potentially vulnerable to an improved offer.
Sources suggest a bid in the £55-60 million range could test Forest’s resolve, though whether Newcastle’s hierarchy will stretch their budget that far remains uncertain.
The Magpies find themselves at a crossroads in this pursuit. With preseason preparations underway and European commitments looming, Howe needs clarity on his squad composition.
Elanga’s pace, versatility, and Premier League experience make him an ideal candidate, but Newcastle may need to decide whether to substantially increase their offer or pivot to alternative targets.
As the transfer window progresses, this saga exemplifies the intricate balancing acts clubs must perform between ambition and pragmatism.
For Forest, keeping Elanga represents a statement of intent as they embark on their European adventure. For Newcastle, securing his signature would address a critical positional need while demonstrating their pulling power. The coming weeks will reveal which club’s vision prevails in this high-stakes transfer standoff.