Personal terms close as Newcastle believe 22-cap international will join “as soon as possible”

After enduring a frustrating run of setbacks in the transfer market, Newcastle United now appear to be on the brink of turning the tide. Backed by PIF, confidence is surging within the club as a renewed bid of £55 million has reportedly been submitted for one of their priority summer targets.

This fresh offer, aimed at Nottingham Forest winger Anthony Elanga, represents a significant move to secure the kind of attacking talent Newcastle have been chasing throughout the window.

The transfer window did not start as the Magpies had hoped. Early interest in Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo was swiftly extinguished when reports emerged suggesting the winger preferred a move to Manchester United.

That disappointment was compounded by the loss of Joao Pedro, a player long admired by the Newcastle hierarchy, who instead joined Chelsea from Brighton in a move that surprised few but still stung deeply on Tyneside. Those failed pursuits forced the recruitment team to reassess and recalibrate their strategy.

Amid that recalibration, Newcastle began to pivot toward new names. Among them, James Trafford—Burnley’s young and highly rated goalkeeper—has remained a persistent target and is now expected to complete a move to St James’ Park.

That signing alone would mark a major win, particularly given Trafford’s long-standing status as a player the club has tracked intently. He is widely viewed as a successor to Nick Pope and potentially a long-term No. 1, with age and potential firmly on his side.

In addition to Trafford, Newcastle have reportedly placed Mohammed Kudus and Harvey Elliott under close watch. Kudus, whose performances for West Ham have impressed across Europe, is understood to be open to a new challenge, especially if a top-tier club offers the chance of regular European football.

Elliott, on the other hand, may be facing a crossroads at Liverpool, with limited opportunities on the horizon. Newcastle believe he could thrive under Eddie Howe’s guidance, and see him as an intelligent, energetic addition to the attacking ranks.

Yet, despite these names being floated, it is Elanga who now seems poised to become the key piece in Newcastle’s summer rebuild.

According to renowned transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the club has returned with an improved £55 million offer for the Swedish international, and there is growing belief that Forest will accept.

This new bid signals Newcastle’s seriousness in getting the deal done quickly. Elanga, who enjoyed a standout campaign with Nottingham Forest last season, recording 17 goal contributions across all competitions, fits the mold of what Newcastle are looking for: pace, directness, youth, and Premier League experience.

If Elanga joins alongside Trafford, it would dramatically alter the mood at St James’ Park. What started as a frustrating summer could quickly evolve into one filled with promise and momentum.

These additions would address two crucial positions—goalkeeper and winger—areas the coaching staff had earmarked for improvement long before the transfer window opened. More importantly, it would reinforce the club’s belief in building a squad not just for the short term, but for sustained success.

Eddie Howe has made it clear that any new signing must align with the club’s ethos—hungry, talented players who want to grow within the system and contribute to a long-term vision.

Elanga and Trafford embody that. Both have room to develop, but both also bring immediate impact potential. That’s a rare and valuable combination in a market flooded with inflated prices and intense competition.

Newcastle’s ambition remains focused on returning to the Champions League and solidifying their place among England’s elite.

Early setbacks in this window appeared to put that ambition under threat, but the recent developments suggest a turning point. With deals for Trafford and Elanga edging closer, the club’s recruitment drive may finally be finding its rhythm.

What seemed like a summer of missed opportunities could soon be remembered as the moment Newcastle took a decisive step forward.