Newcastle United are yet to officially announce the signing of Anthony Elanga, but an image has leaked online showing him meeting his new teammates.
Confirmation of the deal is imminent, with Newcastle United set to sign Anthony Elanga from Nottingham Forest. The deal will cost an initial £55million, with Elanga arriving on Tyneside to undergo a medical earlier this week.
He becomes one of Newcastle’s most expensive signings ever, with a debut potentially coming on 19th July when Eddie Howe’s side face Celtic at Celtic Park in the Adidas Trophy.
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Leaked Anthony Elanga photo hints at John Ruddy decision
As Toon fans await the official images of Elanga being unveiled as a Newcastle United player, a very interesting photo from the club’s training ground has leaked online.
The photo, which was shared on X on Thursday night by @Im_RobM, shows Elanga meeting some of his new teammates ahead of signing for the Magpies.
The 23-year-old is pictured alongside Jacob Murphy, Harvey Barnes, Sean Longstaff, Matt Targett and John Ruddy. The last name in that list is particularly interesting, as it would strongly suggest that he has signed a new contract at St James’ Park.
Having arrived in the summer of 2024 on a one-year deal, it was recently reported that Ruddy has signed a contract extension with Newcastle United. However, the deal is yet to be officially announced by the club.
That is despite the fact the club confirmed that Callum Wilson was leaving Newcastle United upon the expiry of his contract.
John Ruddy deal rules out Newcastle United returns
With Ruddy staying at St James’ Park, Newcastle United still have five senior goalkeepers on the books.
That number could increase to six, with Newcastle trying to sign James Trafford from Burnley. That saga continues to go on, with the Magpies yet to agree a fee with Scott Parker’s side for the 22-year-old stopper.
It will not increase any further however, with Newcastle’s retention of Ruddy ending the club’s interest in Fraser Forster, Tim Krul and Jak Alnwick. The Magpies had considered bringing one of those three players back to the club to help contribute towards UEFA’s homegrown quota for the Champions League, but that will no longer happen.
But while Trafford will make it six stoppers on Tyneside, there could be still be a departure. It has been reported that Dubravka will probably leave Newcastle United in the event that the Trafford deal is finalised.
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