One of Newcastle United’s big summer transfer targets was once hailed as the ‘future’ of Manchester United.
Indeed, Newcastle United are looking to sign Anthony Elanga this summer.
On Tuesday, Newcastle saw a bid rejected for Elanga, with Nottingham Forest not looking to cash in on the player unless a substantial offer emerged.
It remains to be seen if the club return with a new offer. Their last bid was £45million, but Geordie Boot Boys understands that Forest value Elanga at up to £60million.
Paying that kind of money would make him one of Newcastle’s most expensive players in history.
Clearly, whatever they do next is a huge decision, but Elanga is clearly a player people have been excited about for a long time.
- READ MORE: What Cristiano Ronaldo told Anthony Elanga as Newcastle United ‘have transfer bid rejected’
Anthony Elanga was described as the “future” of Manchester United
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has hailed Elanga, having briefly played alongside him for Sweden.
Former Manchester United teammate Nemanja Matic, meanwhile, has previously described the forward as the “future” of the Old Trafford club.
Speaking to Manchester United’s official website in February 2022, the Serbian said: “He’s working very hard, he’s a very, very nice kid I have to say – very polite, respectful and I think he’s the future of our club.”
While it didn’t really work out for him at Old Trafford, he’s since enjoyed a breakout season at Forest. During the 2024/25 campaign, he registered 11 Premier League assists, with only Mohamed Salah and Newcastle’s Jacob Murphy producing more.
| Games | Goals | Assits |
| 55 | 4 | 4 |
Eddie Howe has tried to sign Anthony Elanga three times
Last summer, Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie revealed that Newcastle’s late bid for Elanga in August was actually the second time Eddie Howe had tried to bring him to Newcastle.
In fact, in June of that year, the Newcastle United manager also wanted the club to sign Elanga.
This summer’s attempt, then, has been the third occasion in which the club have made a move.
It remains to be seen if they go back in. Newcastle have other transfer targets in mind, but they clearly like Elanga.
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