Newcastle United are working on a deal to sign Anthony Elanga, but he is not the only player that the Magpies are actively pursuing.
After a slow start to the summer transfer window, Newcastle United are finally stepping up their recruitment drive. That will delight Eddie Howe, who wanted the Magpies to make a signing or two before pre-season begins on 7th July.
While that is not a hard deadline, Newcastle are pushing to get signings through the door in the very near future. Geordie Boot Boys understand that Newcastle are close to signing Elanga after submitting a £55million bid.
That deal is heading in the right direction, with Elanga close to agreeing personal terms with Newcastle.
- Who is Anthony Elanga? Newcastle United’s brand new £55m winger
Newcastle United close to signing Anthony Elanga and James Trafford
But he is not the only player who the Magpies could sign in the near future, with the i Paper’s Mark Douglas dropping an update on Newcastle’s interest in Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford.
It had been claimed that Trafford was close to joining Newcastle, and Douglas is now of the belief that a deal will be completed ‘soon’.
He wrote on X: “Breakthrough on Anthony Elanga today deal v. welcome (as per@CraigHope_DM & others).
“Still work to be done on deal but Eddie Howe target – £55m is big statement of intent & show of faith in manager’s judgement. Looks great fit for how he wants to move the team to the next level.
“Think Trafford gets done soon too…”
- Who is James Trafford? Meet the record-breaking goalkeeper close to Newcastle United transfer
Newcastle United close to filling two priority positions
Heading into the summer, it was very clear that Newcastle United wanted a minimum of four signings. Howe has been looking to bring in a goalkeeper, a centre-back, a right winger and a striker.
Suddenly, two of those positions could be filled and crossed off the list.
Trafford is the goalkeeper who Howe wants to compete with Nick Pope, with the view to eventually becoming Newcastle’s long-term number one. As for Elanga, he will challenge Jacob Murphy to start on the right of attack for the Magpies.
If Newcastle do complete deals for Elanga and Trafford, their recruitment drive will be in a much healthier position. It will leave them with the rest of the summer to land a centre-back and a striker, which are arguably the more difficult deals for the Magpies to do.
In contrast, Newcastle will be securing long-term targets if they get Elanga and Trafford over the line. Howe wanted them in 2024, and his pursuit has continued into 2025.
Fortunately, both deals look like they will have a positive conclusion for Newcastle United.
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