Newcastle United’s quest to bolster their attacking options has taken a significant step forward with a reported £45m bid for Nottingham Forest’s dynamic winger, Anthony Elanga. According to a recent post by renowned football journalist David Ornstein, the Magpies made a substantial offer for the Swedish international, only to see it rebuffed by Forest. Despite this setback, Newcastle’s interest in the 23-year-old remains strong, with the club now weighing whether to press ahead with their pursuit or shift focus to alternative targets.
🚨 EXCL: Newcastle make offer to sign Anthony Elanga from Nottingham Forest. Bid in region of £45m. #NFFC rejected without counter; no intention of selling Sweden int’l. #NUFC considering whether to maintain pursuit or focus on other targets @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/sGfZwKu6Em
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) June 24, 2025
Elanga, who joined Nottingham Forest from Manchester United in July 2023 for a modest £15m, has quickly established himself as one of the Premier League’s most exciting young talents. His pace, versatility, and flair have made him a cornerstone of Nuno Espírito Santo’s side, contributing six goals and 12 assists in 38 Premier League appearances during the 2024/25 season. This impressive campaign helped Forest secure a seventh-place finish and a spot in the Europa Conference League, underscoring Elanga’s value to the club.
Newcastle’s interest in Elanga is not new. The Magpies have been tracking the winger since last summer, when financial constraints under the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR) prevented a deal from materializing. A late £35m offer was turned down by Forest on the 2024 transfer deadline day, with Ornstein previously noting that a move was unlikely to proceed. However, with Newcastle now in a stronger financial position and preparing for a Champions League campaign, their ambition to secure a right-sided forward has reignited their pursuit.
Ornstein’s latest update, published on June 24, 2025, via The Athletic, details Newcastle’s £45m bid, which included an initial £30m payment, a swap deal involving Miguel Almirón (valued at £5m, who has since joined Atlanta United), and two potential £5m add-ons. Despite the substantial offer, Forest rejected it, signaling their determination to hold onto their star winger unless their valuation—reportedly closer to £50m-£60m—is met. Forest’s strong negotiating position is bolstered by Elanga’s contract, which runs until 2028, and their lack of immediate PSR pressures.
Newcastle’s manager, Eddie Howe, sees Elanga as a perfect fit to compete with Jacob Murphy on the right wing, especially following Almirón’s departure in January. The Swede’s ability to play across multiple attacking positions, combined with his Premier League experience and potential for further growth, aligns with Howe’s vision of building a squad capable of competing on multiple fronts. Elanga’s connections with Newcastle players, including international teammates Alexander Isak and Emil Krafth, as well as his friendship with forward William Osula, could ease his integration into the squad.
Social media interactions have further fuelled speculation among Newcastle fans. Elanga’s recent Instagram post, featuring a photo of him playing padel alongside someone wearing a Newcastle United shirt, drew comments from Anthony Gordon (“yallaa”) and Sven Botman (“Mykooo”), sparking excitement and speculation about a potential transfer hint. While Elanga has remained coy on his future, telling Swedish outlet Fotbollskanalen, “There is a lot of talk. I focus on what I can do,” his awareness of Newcastle’s interest is evident.
However, Newcastle face challenges in securing Elanga’s signature. Forest’s high valuation, potentially reaching £65m-£70m, would rank among Newcastle’s most expensive signings, second only to the £63m paid for Isak. Additionally, other Premier League clubs, including Tottenham, Chelsea, Aston Villa, and Arsenal, have been linked with Elanga, while an unnamed side reportedly made contact recently. Newcastle’s confidence in negotiating a compromise around £55m, as reported by TEAMtalk, suggests they believe a deal is achievable, but it will require strategic maneuvering.
The Magpies are also exploring other targets, such as Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo and Southampton’s Tyler Dibling, but Elanga remains a priority due to his proven track record and potential to elevate Newcastle’s attack. With the transfer window set to reopen on June 16 and run until September 1, Newcastle have time to refine their approach, potentially exploring creative solutions like player-plus-cash deals, as suggested by some reports proposing Harvey Barnes as a makeweight.
For now, Newcastle’s pursuit of Elanga hangs in the balance. Ornstein’s report underscores their ambition to land a transformative signing, but Forest’s resolve and Elanga’s importance to their European campaign mean the Magpies will need to dig deep—both financially and strategically—to bring the Swedish star to St James’ Park. As the transfer saga unfolds, Newcastle fans will be watching closely, hoping their club can secure a player who could ignite their Champions League aspirations.
