Newcastle United are aiming to finish in the Premier League top four this season, and manager Eddie Howe is already planning how to strengthen his team.
The Magpies are only a point off the UEFA Champions League places and have won their last two Premier League games.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 4 |  ArsenalArsenal | 11 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 18 | 12 | 6 | 19 |
| 5 |  Nottm ForestNottingham Forest | 11 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 15 | 10 | 5 | 19 |
| 6 |  BrightonBrighton | 11 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 19 | 15 | 4 | 19 |
| 7 |  FulhamFulham | 11 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 16 | 13 | 3 | 18 |
| 8 |  NewcastleNewcastle | 11 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 13 | 11 | 2 | 18 |
| 9 |  Aston VillaAston Villa | 11 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 17 | 17 | 0 | 18 |
| 10 |  TottenhamTottenham | 11 | 5 | 1 | 5 | 23 | 13 | 10 | 16 |
| 11 |  BrentfordBrentford | 11 | 5 | 1 | 5 | 22 | 22 | 0 | 16 |
With Arsenal starting to wobble, Newcastle will fancy their chances of clinching the fourth spot and returning to Europe’s premier club competition next season.
Nottingham Forest stance on Anthony Elanga amid Newcastle United interest
Newcastle have been linked with Paul Pogba and Ibrahim Maza already, and now there is speculation that they could try to sign Anthony Elanga from Premier League rivals Nottingham Forest in the January transfer window as well.
According to The Times, Newcastle could “rekindle their interest” in Elanga after trying to sign him last summer.
The report has added that Newcastle were prepared to pay £35 million for Elanga on the final day of the 2024 summer transfer window.
The Times has noted: “Forest were not keen to sell at such a late stage without time to look for a replacement but are believed to be more receptive to an approach in January for the 22-year-old.”
Newcastle, though, will not pay £35 million for Elanga and will look to make a deal for a “significantly reduced price”.
What Anthony Elanga said about potential Newcastle United move
Praised by Sweden legend Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Elanga has done relatively well overall for Forest since his move from Manchester United in the summer of 2023 for £15 million.
Elanga scored five goals and gave nine assists in 25 starts and 11 substitute appearances in the Premier League for Forest last season.
The forward has given two assists in eight starts and three substitute appearances in the league so far this season.
Things have not been going well lately for Elanga in recent times, and perhaps he will reconsider his previous stance on Forest.
In September, the winger told Football Skanalen that Alexander Isak had spoken to him about moving to Newcastle in the summer of 2024.
| Season | Games played | Goals | Assists | Minute played |
| 2024/25 (up to 22/11/25) | 11 | 0 | 2 | 651 |
| 2023/24 | 36 | 5 | 9 | 2,434 |
Newcastle striker Isak and Elanga play for Sweden. The latter did not fancy a move to St. James Park.
Elanga said: “Isak talked to me about it. But I said the same to him as I say to you. We have good relationships and good chemistry when we play together. But I have a contract with Nottingham.
The environment in Nottingham is good. It is clear that you can see that Newcastle is interested; it means that I am playing good football when a big club shows interest.
“But Nottingham is also a big club; they have won two Champions Leagues, even though it was before I was born. But I’m happy in Nottingham and have a contract there. I’m focusing on Nottingham and hope to have a good season; then we’ll see what happens.”
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