“Newcastle on the VERGE of SHOCKING Mega-Money Signing: Meet the JAW-DROPPING ‘Electric’ Star Who’s Anthony Gordon’s ULTIMATE Successor!”
Newcastle United Nearing Return to Action
The countdown to Newcastle United’s pre-season kickoff is almost over.
In less than two weeks, the Magpies will make the 139-mile trip north to take on Scottish Premiership champions Celtic in Glasgow.
An estimated 10,000 Geordie supporters are expected to travel to Parkhead for the occasion.
Following the clash in Scotland, Eddie Howe’s side will embark on an Asian tour. They’ll face Arsenal in Kallang, the K League All-Stars in Suwon, and Tottenham Hotspur in Seoul.
After their return to England, Newcastle will host Espanyol and Atlético Madrid at St James’ Park in a back-to-back weekend fixture early in August.
But before the Celtic match, could Newcastle fans get a first glimpse of any new additions to the squad?
Magpies Eyeing Major Reinforcements
As of now, Newcastle are yet to make a summer signing, but that could be about to change.
The club is on the verge of completing a £30 million deal for Burnley’s James Trafford, a move that would make him the most expensive English goalkeeper in history.
Additionally, they’ve intensified their pursuit of Giorgio Scalvini from Atalanta. The Italian centre-back is believed to be Howe’s top defensive target, with the Serie A side valuing him at £30 million.
However, a third deal may be even closer to completion. According to Dominic Scurr of the Shields Gazette, Newcastle are progressing in their pursuit of Nottingham Forest winger Anthony Elanga.
The Magpies initially saw a £45 million bid turned down, with Forest declaring the player not for sale.
However, a revised offer of £55 million appears to have changed the situation, with talks reportedly reaching a breakthrough.
If finalized, Elanga would become Newcastle’s second most expensive player ever, only behind his fellow Swede Alexander Isak.
Journalist Craig Hope has backed up these claims, stating on Sunday night that an agreement is “close.”
For context, Joelinton was the only Newcastle signing to break the £30 million mark before the Saudi-led PIF takeover.
Michael Owen’s £16.8 million arrival from Real Madrid in 2005 stood as their transfer record for years—though his time at the club was widely viewed as a disappointment.
So what makes Elanga a better bet for success on Tyneside?
Why Anthony Elanga Could Thrive at St James’ Park
Elanga impressed many during his spell at Forest last season. Analyst Statman Dave hailed him as “electric,” while David Astill of Total Football Analysis noted his intelligent use of pace—often dropping deep to receive the ball before accelerating in behind defensive lines.
Ali Tweedale of Opta’s The Analyst praised the 22-year-old’s two-footed ability and rapid speed, highlighting his growing end product.
In fact, only two players recorded more assists than Elanga in the Premier League last season.
His potential transfer mirrors that of Anthony Gordon’s big-money move from Everton in January 2023. Both are young, pacey wingers brought in from Premier League rivals with a similar skill set and impact potential.
When comparing the two, Elanga currently boasts more top-flight experience than Gordon had upon joining Newcastle.
Not only did he play extensively for Forest, but he also logged 39 league appearances for Manchester United.
Statistically, Elanga surpasses Gordon at the time of his transfer in several areas, including goals, assists, shots, chances created, and take-on success rate.
Despite their differences, both excel at beating defenders and making things happen in the final third.
Over the past two seasons, Gordon has tallied 20 goals and 23 assists, while Elanga has produced 11 goals and 20 assists—demonstrating comparable creativity.
Given Gordon’s impressive rise since joining Newcastle, the signs suggest Elanga could have a similarly transformative effect if he swaps Nottingham for the North East this summer.
