Anthony Elanga is finally a Newcastle United player, much to the delight of everyone on Tyneside.
It has now been announced that Newcastle United have signed Anthony Elanga from Nottingham Forest, with the 23-year-old becoming the first major signing on Tyneside for two years.
He has signed a five-year deal at St James’ Park, with Elanga describing Newcastle United as ‘unique’ in his first words as a Toon player.
He also becomes one of Newcastle’s most expensive signings ever, costing an initial £55million.
Eddie Howe is finally strengthening his Newcastle United squad, bringing in a player who looks readymade for success in a black and white shirt. It is a smart bit of business by the Magpies, whose search for a right winger is finally over.
With a deal now completed, Geordie Boot Boys identify the winners and losers from Newcastle United signing Elanga.
- Who is Anthony Elanga? Newcastle United’s brand new £55m winger
Winners from Anthony Elanga transfer to Newcastle United
Eddie Howe
The biggest winner of the Elanga deal is the Newcastle United manager.
Until this deal, Howe had not signed a right winger since taking over at St James’ Park. It is the one position that has been neglected.
That has now changed, with Newcastle signing a player who is perfect for Howe. Elanga suits what Howe wants perfectly, which should mean it does not take him long to have an impact on Tyneside.
Following confirmation of the deal, Howe said he was ‘delighted’ to welcome Elanga to the club.
- Who is Eddie Howe? The heroic manager who finally brought a trophy back to Newcastle United
Alexander Isak
Alexander Isak will also be delighted to see Elanga join the club. They are teammates for Sweden and have great chemistry together, so it will be great to see them link up in black and white as well as yellow.
A lot of Isak’s goals during the 2024/25 season came from Jacob Murphy’s incredible wing play, and Elanga can provide the same kind of service. He is a right-footer that can put chances on a plate for his striker, which should result in plenty of goals for Newcastle’s striker from Sweden.
After Newcastle tried to sign the winger in 2024, Elanga spoke about his relationship with Isak.
He said: “We have a good relationship and good chemistry when we play together.”
- Who is Alexander Isak? The striker who burned his Newcastle United reputation to force £125m Liverpool transfer
Harvey Barnes
During the latter stages of the 2024/25 season, Howe was trying to get Harvey Barnes and Anthony Gordon in the same team. That meant one of them would have to play on the right, despite both players having a preference to be on the left.
Unfortunately for Barnes, he was the one who drew the short straw and was asked to operate on his weaker side. It hindered his performances, having previously been so spectacular on the opposite flank during Gordon’s absence from the side.
With Elanga on board, Howe can dovetail Gordon and Barnes on the left without needing either of them to fill in on the right.
Losers from Anthony Elanga signing for Newcastle United
Jacob Murphy
There is only really one player who will suffer from Elanga joining Newcastle United. That is Jacob Murphy.
The 30-year-old made the right wing position completely his own during the 2024/25 season, enjoying the best campaign of his career. Murphy hit unimaginable heights, providing 23 goal contributions from the right of attack.
- Who is Jacob Murphy? The Newcastle United star who has transformed under Eddie Howe
But now his place in the starting XI is under threat. While Newcastle will play so many games that Murphy is going to continue featuring regularly, you would imagine that Elanga will be first choice.
In truth, that will not bother Murphy. Earlier this year, Murphy said he would welcome the competition amid claims that Newcastle wanted to sign a winger.
“I’ve proved I can contribute to a successful team,” he said.
“Whatever happens in the summer in terms of incomings, I see that as more competition. It will be someone I can work off, share the load with.
“I won’t stop working hard to achieve success here.”
Elanga is giving Murphy the exact type of competition he craved, so even describing him as the one ‘loser’ from this deal is slightly harsh. It could actually push him to play even better.
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