Newcastle could have saved £36m on Anthony Elanga alternative as Eddie Howe’s plan becomes clear

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Newcastle United went big and bought Anthony Elanga, despite Eddie Howe having alternatives on his radar.

The Magpies made their first major signing in two years on 11th July, with Elanga joining Newcastle United for £55million.

Elanga is an excellent signing for Newcastle United. The 23-year-old is a proven Premier League talent, while he looks perfect for Eddie Howe. His pace should be lethal in this Toon side, as he gets set to compete with Jacob Murphy.

Johan Bakayoko set for £19million transfer after Newcastle United interest

As Elanga settles into life as a Newcastle United player out in Austria for a pre-season training camp, another winger who the Magpies looked at is on the move.

Johan Bakayoko was a target for Newcastle United, but he is now taking his talents to the Bundesliga.

According to Fabrizio Romano, RB Leipzig have agreed a £19million deal to sign the Belgian winger from PSV Eindhoven.

Romano wrote on X: “Johan Bakayoko to RB Leipzig, here we go! Deal in place for the winger to leave PSV Eindhoven and join Leipzig. Agreement on €22m package with PSV and player authorized for medical tests.”

Eddie Howe and Newcastle United paying the price for Premier League experience

If it was only about money, Newcastle United could have bought an Elanga alternative in Bakayoko for £19million and saved themselves £36million.

Paul Mitchell said Newcastle could get more value overseas, and he was right. However, Mitchell has now left his role as Newcastle United sporting director as Howe makes the decision to invest in Premier League experience. That decision comes at a cost.

Signing Elanga is not a risk. He is ready-made to have an instant impact at St James’ Park. That is what will be expected after becoming one of Newcastle’s most expensive signings ever.

In contrast, Bakayoko would have been a risk. While he would have been much cheaper, that does not necessarily mean he would have been a better signing.

They have paid a premium, but Newcastle United have got the exact type of player that Howe wanted in Elanga. In the era of PSR, the Magpies cannot afford to make any mistakes in the transfer market. At £55million, Elanga is an expensive banker. As for Bakayoko, he would have been a gamble.