Arsenal have now reportedly entered the race for £50million Newcastle United target Anthony Elanga.
It is no secret that the Magpies are chasing a right-winger this summer to bolster their attacking reserves. As it stands, Jacob Murphy is the only natural first-team option after Miguel Almiron was sold to Atlanta United.
Yankuba Minteh is the only right-sided attacker Newcastle have signed since the Saudi-backed takeover and he never kicked a ball in black-and-white stripes before being sold to Brighton last year. With added fixture pressure due to Champions League football, signing a right-winger would add a fresh dimension to United’s attack.
Various sources have indicated Nottingham Forest talisman Elanga as a top target. Newcastle liked the 23-year-old last summer and failed with a desperate deadline-day bid.
Elanga went on to register 17 Premier League goal contributions as the Tricky Trees qualified for the Conference League. The Daily Mail reported last week that Forest have slapped a £50million price tag on the winger’s head.
Arsenal enter Anthony Elanga race
Arsenal are rivalling Newcastle for Elanga’s signature, according to the Nottingham Post. Bukayo Saka has carried a heavy burden on the right flank for the Gunners in recent years and spent a chunk of last season injured.
Mikel Arteta is keen to add firepower to his Arsenal side having missed out on the Premier League title again. While a striker remains the priority, he has also outlined the need for a right-winger to support Saka.
Newcastle could offer a clearer path to first-team football given Saka’s dominance for club and country. Toon fans saw Elanga’s talents first-hand on Boxing Day 2023 as Forest ran ragged at St James’ Park, a game made famous for Chris Wood’s hat-trick.
Response to Newcastle United rumours
Elanga was grilled by Swedish media about the Newcastle rumours while on international duty last week. He replied: “There is a lot of talk. I focus on what I can do and my focus today was on the match. In football there are always rumours. The most important thing is that I focus on what I can control.
“I guess there will always be scouts wherever I play as long as I stay focused and do my best in the match. I just keep my focus and what I can control. That’s what I can do on and off the field. I focus on the next day and action. That’s what I can do. He must have tried to call me about the match, that I should have scored.”
Alexander Isak for new sporting director?
Speaking during the 2024-25 campaign, Elanga opened up about a conversation with compatriot Alexander Isak regarding Newcastle. He said: “Isak talked to me about it (Newcastle’s interest). “But I said the same to him as I say to you. We have a good relationship 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 are interested, it means that I am playing good football when a big club shows interest.”
