Newcastle may have been able to sign £50m player if they hadn’t waited so long

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Newcastle United tried to enjoy a dramatic end to transfer deadline day, but failed.

The Magpies had already failed in their quest to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace, with the 24-year-old proving to be expensive.

Newcastle pulled out of the Guehi deal on August 29th, and recalibrated their transfer plans the following day.

As well as a centre-back, Eddie Howe also needed a winger, and that is what Paul Mitchell tried to provide.

Newcastle made a move for Anthony Elanga, but it was rejected by Nottingham Forest. Nuno Espirito Santo’s side were desperate to keep the 22-year-old, with Forest also rejecting a £50million approach from Newcastle for Elanga.

Anthony Elanga to Newcastle United was a ‘no-go situation’

The Magpies fell short in their late pursuit of Elanga, and HITC Football insider Graeme Bailey has told Geordie Boot Boys why a deal was never going to be completed on deadline day.

“It was a cheeky late approach,” he said.

“They wanted a winger, but they did not know about the Guehi situation until the second last day of the transfer window.

“When it comes to Nottingham Forest, they had always said they wanted to sign two wingers this summer. They got that in the shape of Jota Silva and Ramon Sosa. Once they had got those two wingers in, they were never going to let another leave. It was a no-go situation.

“Earlier in the window, it could have been possible for Newcastle to sign Elanga, as Forest could have got a replacement. In an ideal world, Newcastle would have got Elanga as part of the Elliot Anderson deal, instead of Odysseas Vlachodimos.

“In my opinion, Elanga would not have massively improved Newcastle’s starting XI.”

Newcastle’s Elanga approach seemed desperate

Given how late it was in the window, Forest were never going to accept Newcastle’s approach for Elanga.

In truth, it seemed a bit desperate from the club. From the outside looking in, it came across as Newcastle needing to be seen to be trying to do something, despite knowing that a deal was going to be extremely challenging.

It might be a lucky escape for Newcastle, as there is no way that Elanga is worth £50million. That would have been a ridiculous amount of money to spend on him, despite Elanga performing very well in Garibaldi red.

For now, Newcastle will have to stick with what they have got. That could mean Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes dovetailing, like they have done in the Magpies’ past couple of games.

Then January will arrive, and that will give Newcastle another chance to target a winger. It will be very interesting to see if Elanga comes into the club’s thinking again.