Nottingham Forest winger Anthony Elanga has sparked fresh transfer speculation by commenting “Captain, yeah” on teammate Elliot Anderson’s Instagram post celebrating England’s Under-21 European Championship final berth, as highlighted by Football Insider. The 23-year-old Swede, a key figure in Forest’s seventh-place Premier League finish and Conference League qualification, is a prime target for Newcastle United, who had a £45 million bid rejected this week, per The Athletic. With Eddie Howe aiming to bolster his squad for the 2025-26 Champions League, Elanga’s pace and versatility make him a priority, but Forest’s £60 million valuation and a potential swap deal involving Harvey Barnes add complexity to negotiations as the September 1, 2025, transfer deadline looms.
Newcastle’s interest in Elanga, reignited after a failed deadline-day bid in 2024, is driven by Howe’s need for a right-winger to complement Alexander Isak, especially with Anthony Gordon linked to a £75 million move to Liverpool. Football Insider suggests a swap deal involving Harvey Barnes, who made 21 appearances for Newcastle in 2024-25 (4 goals, 3 assists), could be considered, though Football365 ruled out a direct Barnes-Elanga swap. Newcastle’s £45 million offer was rejected “without a counter,” with Forest valuing Elanga at £60 million, close to their record £63 million sale of Brennan Johnson. Chronicle Live reports Newcastle are preparing a second bid but may walk away if Forest’s demands remain high, wary of overpaying.
Newcastle’s Champions League qualification and recent silverware have boosted their appeal, with Elanga’s Sweden teammate Isak and friend William Osula potentially influencing his decision. However, The Northern Echo notes Forest’s firm stance, with Nuno listing Elanga as a "core player".
For Newcastle, signing Elanga would add pace and creativity to their right flank, crucial for their Champions League campaign against teams like Bayern Munich. His 18 goal involvements in 2024-25 would complement Isak’s finishing, but failure to meet Forest’s valuation risks missing out, with alternatives like Adeyemi less proven in the Premier League. For Elanga, a move to Newcastle offers Champions League exposure and a reunion with Isak, but regular minutes at Forest may outweigh the risk of a bigger club. Forest’s pursuit of Weah and their European ambitions could keep Elanga, unless Newcastle table a significantly improved bid.
Anthony Elanga’s Instagram interaction with Elliot Anderson and Newcastle’s rejected £45 million bid, reported by Football Insider, keep his transfer saga alive. With Forest holding firm at £60 million and a potential Harvey Barnes swap in play, Newcastle face a crucial decision as they prepare for the Champions League. Elanga’s 6 goals and 11 assists make him a prime target, but competition from alternative targets and Forest’s resolve complicate matters. As the transfer window progresses, Newcastle must balance ambition with value to secure Elanga or pivot to other options before the September 1 deadline.