How Anthony Elanga felt about a deadline day move to Newcastle United

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At one point on deadline day, things got very exciting for Newcastle United.

Hours after Luke Edwards revealed that Newcastle were working on a potential incoming during the closing stages of the transfer window, Anthony Elanga was again linked with a move to St James’ Park.

The Sweden international is thought to have been of interest to Eddie Howe earlier in the window too, further explaining the late dash to sign the Nottingham Forest star.

However, the move was shot down reasonably quickly, with Forest not keen to sell.

Now, some insight into Elanga’s thoughts about the matter has emerged.

Anthony Elanga was keen on a move to Newcastle

Indeed, according to journalist Joel Bland on social media platform X, the 22-year-old was keen on a move to St James’.

Still, a deal was always said to be tough to do towards the closing stages of the window.

Alex Crook of talkSPORT later added that Forest could not source a replacement in time, hence why there was no movement.

Newcastle left their business too late this summer

After signing Will Osula earlier this month, there were suggestions Newcastle were ready to follow that deal up with big moves for a right winger and a central defender.

Still, to only pull out of their pursuit of Marc Guehi on the defensive front towards the end of the window gave the club little time to source an alternative.

To then move for Elanga on deadline day feels unwise. Unless Forest were suddenly desperate to sell, how on earth could Newcastle have tempted them to cash in unless they made an absolutely huge offer?

Perhaps there are reasons as to why Newcastle have left things so late but they need explaining. Spending big money for the sake of it in a PSR world is obviously not something to advocate for but it wouldn’t be hard to form a more coherent plan than Newcastle appear to have been working on over the last few days.