The new ‘sign’ coming out of talks between Nottingham Forest star Anthony Elanga and Newcastle United

Nottingham Forest are being rightly stubborn in their valuation of Anthony Elanga, but Newcastle United’s interest in the Swede hasn’t gone away.

Forest won’t budge on their £60m valuation of Elanga despite Newcastle’s best efforts to unsettle them with lower bids that started at £45m.

After that bid was swiftly rejected, Newcastle returned with a £50m offer for Elanga, which, while still below the asking price, did hint at their willingness to negotiate with Evangelos Marinakis.

From Forest’s perspective, there is little reason to budge until the Magpies reach the £60m figure, but one report is suggesting that Newcastle are confident in their ability to find an agreement that suits them.

Newcastle United are confident in Anthony Elanga negotiations

Forest do not need to sell Elanga for any PSR reasons, so it makes complete sense why Marinakis is refusing to budge on his asking price.

However, according to The i, Newcastle are quietly confident that a deal can be struck that suits their terms more.

The report said: “Bouncing back to broker a deal for Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford – perhaps as early as next week – is on the cards, while Newcastle remain in dialogue with Nottingham Forest for Anthony Elanga.

“Valuations on both potential deals have yet to be met but “it’s not as simple as bids being rejected”, says one source. The suggestion is that ongoing communication on those deals is a sign that something can be done.”

With both parties at the table, it seems hard to believe that Newcastle won’t make the extra step to pay the £60m valuation, especially given how far their interest in Elanga dates back.

Newcastle United have wanted Anthony Elanga for a long time

Back in August 2024, Newcastle were weighing up a bid for Elanga that would eventually materialise just before the transfer window shut.

It was said that Newcastle were willing to pay £35m for Elanga, which at the time was not enough and only looked sillier as Elanga produced the best season of his career to date.

Newcastle didn’t solve their right winger problem and given that they’ve returned for Elanga this summer, it seems that they won’t be able to move on until they capture the Forest man.

The power remains in Marinakis’ hands, then, with Newcastle showing no signs of giving up on Elanga with the two parties edging closer in their respective valuations.