Newcastle United are close to signing Anthony Elanga, but are still yet to finalise a deal with Nottingham Forest.
There was hope last week that Newcastle United had made a breakthrough in the transfer market. It was reported that Elanga to Newcastle was close after a £55million bid was submitted.
It was also claimed that Newcastle were close to agreeing personal terms with Elanga, with the 23-year-old seemingly on course to become Eddie Howe’s first major signing since 2023.
However, a new week has begun with no fresh faces through the door at St James’ Park. A deal for the Sweden international has still not been finalised. That will concern Toon fans, who will be worried that this transfer might not get completed.
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Anthony Elanga to Newcastle United is ‘complicated’
However, Newcastle United still have ‘hope’ that they are going to sign Elanga.
That is according to the Daily Mail’s Craig Hope on X, who has provided a mixed update on the Magpies’ pursuit of the former Manchester United winger. While there is still belief that a deal can be done, it is ‘complicated’.
“I understand an agreement for Anthony Elanga between Newcastle & Forest remains close but it’s also complicated & some of the details are still being worked on,” Hope wrote.
“There is hope it will get sorted, but until those details are agreed…”
Not signing Anthony Elanga would be Newcastle United’s biggest transfer disaster
There is no reason to panic at this moment in time. While the delay in this deal being finalised is frustrating, there is still hope that the Toon recruitment team will get this one over the line.
However, there is extra apprehension from fans given the club’s lack of signings in recent years and the amount of targets who have moved elsewhere this summer.
Newcastle missed out on Joao Pedro, Liam Delap and Dean Huijsen, while they are also going to miss out on Bryan Mbeumo.
Supporters will have their fingers crossed that Elanga does not join that list. But if he does, it would be the most painful failure of all. This is the deal that has been the closest to completion. The other instances saw Howe miss out to a club that could offer the player something they felt was more appealing.
When it comes to Elanga, Newcastle are trying to win a one-horse race. Aston Villa have been linked with Elanga, but that is as far as it has gone. It is the Magpies in the driving seat, which means there is added pressure to get this done.
Newcastle have signalled their intent, but it will be for nothing if Elanga does not arrive at St James’ Park.
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