Nottingham Forest agree deal for £51m winger as Newcastle United eye Anthony Elanga

Nottingham Forest have reportedly agreed a deal to sign a winger as Newcastle United eye Anthony Elanga.

Newcastle United aren’t giving up hope of signing Nottingham Forest winger Anthony Elanga but recognise that a deal is difficult to do.

Elanga has emerged as Eddie Howe’s leading target for the right forward position following an impressive campaign at the City Ground. The Swede scored six goals and provided 12 assists as Forest finished seventh in the Premier League to secure a Europa Conference League spot and reach the semi-finals of the FA Cup.

Newcastle first approached Forest over a deal last summer and have again followed up their interest after receiving encouragement from the player’s camp that he would be keen on a move. However, the Reds are showing themselves to be reluctant sellers.

It’s been reported that Forest would talk if a bid in the region of £60m lands, but the Magpies valuation is thought to be lower than that, with offers tabled so far totalling less than £50m. It remains to be seen if the two clubs can come to an agreement.

Nottingham Forest agree deal for winger

What could soften Forest’s stance on Elanga is signing new attacking reinforcements. And according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Nuno Espirito Santo’s side have agreed a deal with Lyon to sign 20-year-old winger Malick Fofana.

However, a move is still understood to be way off as Fofana waits on interest from other clubs. As per The Independent, Premier League rivals Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Fulham have made contact, as have Bayern Munich, RB Leipzig and Napoli.

It’s claimed Lyon, who need to sell amid financial difficulties that have seen them demoted from Ligue 1 (subject to appeal), have set a price of £51.1m.

Forest know all too well of the challenges Premier League Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR) bring having received a points deduction for breaching the rules back in 2023-24. Another huge summer of spending without any sales would likely bring the same threat in the near future.

Anthony Elanga has already addressed Newcastle United links

Howe first became interested in Elanga last June when they asked for the player to be included in the PSR swindle that saw Elliot Anderson move to the City Ground.

However, after being met with a no, Newcastle were forced to accept Greek goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos as part of the agreement instead. United then made another approach on summer deadline day but a deal was never close.

Addressing the Newcastle links last year, Elanga said: “Isak talked to me about 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.

“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.”