Newcastle United may need to move on from their pursuit of Nottingham Forest star Anthony Elanga.
On Tuesday, Newcastle United saw a bid rejected for Elanga by Forest, who are holding out for upwards of £60million.
It remains to be seen if Newcastle go back in for Elanga as a result. Eddie Howe is a big fan of Elanga, but getting anywhere near Forest’s valuation would be a major decision from the club.
If there’s one thing Newcastle fans will surely have learned under PIF’s ownership, it’s that the Newcastle United owners won’t overpay for their targets.
With that in mind, turning to the Newcastle United academy could be a way to strengthen the Newcastle United squad next season. Here’s where Trevan Sanusi could come in.
Trevan Sanusi could be Newcastle United’s Anthony Elanga alternative
If Newcastle don’t make a big-name signing at right-wing because they deem their targets too expensive, then Jacob Murphy seems certain to start in that position next season.
Still, Murphy cannot play every single game, particularly with the added burden of Champions League football to come.
Sanusi could perhaps be an internal solution to strengthen that position. Though the 18-year-old struggled with injury last season at youth level, he’s able to operate across the front line.
Howe rates Sanusi highly and handed him a first-team debut against Bromley in the FA Cup last season. According to The Daily Mail in 2024, the forward was even tipped to break Jude Bellingham’s record as Birmingham’s youngest-ever player before he left the club in 2023.
| Games | Goals | Assists |
| 19 | 2 | 2 |
Speaking to the Mail after the pre-season win over Urawa Red Diamonds last year, Howe said of Sanusi: “He’s very clever with the ball.”
The Newcastle United manager then added: “He’s got lots of tricks in his bag that he can pull out from time to time.
“I’m excited by him. I think he’s got the basics of a really good framework to build from. It’s going to be up to us and for him to develop those skills and talents.”
How Newcastle United academy staff feel about Trevan Sanusi
Last year, The Athletic claimed that Newcastle’s academy staff are very excited about Sanusi’s potential.
In an ideal world, of course, a new signing would come in to bolster the squad next season. Thrusting an untested teenager into the mix is not a perfect solution for anyone.
However, Murphy is there to take most of the duties if Newcastle are priced out in the market. Sanusi certainly looks to have the potential to act as a back-up, if the club are unable to sign anyone.
Lewis Miley proved teenagers can hit the ground running. It’s at least something to think about.
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