Eddie Howe wants to sign £45m player to be Anthony Gordon’s understudy at Newcastle United

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Eddie Howe is eager to keep Anthony Gordon at Newcastle United, and is now eyeing up someone to act as his understudy.

Anthony Gordon was linked with a move away from St James’ Park earlier this summer, at a time when the Magpies’ PSR situation was desperate.

Newcastle offered Liverpool the chance to sign Gordon, but they declined due to the 23-year-old’s lofty asking price. However, it led to concerns that Gordon’s head had been turned by the chance to join Liverpool – who are his boyhood club.

But the winger is now expected to stay at Newcastle, while the club search for reinforcements ahead of the 2024/25 season.

Newcastle still interested in Nottingham Forest winger

The Magpies are interested in signing a new winger, with reports of Newcastle making a bid for Nicolas Gonzalez from Fiorentina.

But Toon officials are also looking at players closer to home, which brings us to Nottingham Forest’s Anthony Elanga.

The 22-year-old was linked with Newcastle during the final few days of June, as clubs scrambled to comply with PSR. The Magpies tried to do a deal for Elanga to coincide with Elliot Anderson going the other way, but ended up signing goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos from Forest instead.

It has since been claimed that Newcastle are still interested in Elanga, and now an update on the Sweden international’s future has emerged.

According to Caught Offside, Newcastle are keen to sign Elanga, with Eddie Howe viewing him as ideal backup for Anthony Gordon.

They add that Elanga could cost up to £45million.

Newcastle already have an understudy for Anthony Gordon

While Elanga is a very talented winger who can play on both flanks, there is no way that Newcastle are going to sign him just to play second fiddle to Gordon.

If Newcastle are going to spend £45million on an attacker, it will be someone who is expected to be a starter – someone to play on the right alongside Gordon and Isak.

Now, Elanga could fulfil that role, although Newcastle should perhaps be more ambitious.

And the truth is that Newcastle already have their backup for Gordon in Harvey Barnes. The 26-year-old filled that role when he was fit last season, and he looks in good shape ahead of the 24/25 season. This could be a breakout season for Barnes, who is set to be Newcastle’s new number 11.

While Elanga is definitely someone who Newcastle United like, he will only be recruited if Toon officials view him as a starter rather than just a squad player.