Newcastle United are hoping to sign Anthony Elanga from Nottingham Forest during the summer transfer window.
They have submitted an improved offer of £55 million for the attacker, and it remains to be seen whether both clubs can agree on a deal. According to the Daily Mail, Newcastle have already had an offer of around £45 million rejected for the player. However, there has been progress in terms of negotiations, and both clubs are now hoping to conclude the transfer soon.
Anthony Elanga could improve Newcastle
Elanga was outstanding for Nottingham Forest last season, and he could prove to be an excellent acquisition for Newcastle. They have been overly dependent on Anthony Gordon and Alexander Isak. They need another quality attacker, and Elanga will certainly improve them going forward. He will look to add pace, flair and unpredictability to the side. Newcastle have secured Champions League qualification for the next season, and they will be an attractive destination for players. It is no surprise that the player is keen on joining them.
Meanwhile, Newcastle are long-term admirers of the former Manchester United player, and they tried to sign him last summer as well.
The 23-year-old attacker scored six goals and produced 11 assists in the Premier League last season, and his numbers could improve when he is playing in a better team alongside quality players.
Aston Villa keen on the player
The report further claims that Aston Villa are monitoring his situation as well. They could use more depth on the flanks, and it remains to be seen whether they decide to try and hijack Newcastle’s move for the player. The Sweden international is a quality player, and he is still quite young. He will only improve with coaching and experience. He could develop into a top-quality player for both clubs.
Villa is forbidden from including new players in their squad for Europe next season and in 2026-27 unless they can show they have generated a cost saving with sale of players against acquisitions. Villa would have to sell a player for 55m to buy one for 55m. Not likely to happen. Even if you got 60m for Watkins and 45m for Martinez, finding replacements of the same quality for a similar price would be difficult, if you got new players on a decent wage there would be some wriggeling room, but still would be hard to do.
Applies over three years so not really relevant at the moment.
Cheap journalism looking for cheap thrills by making up stories. Pathetic and it shows the calibre of journalists you have!