Newcastle United could sell ‘talented player’ if they make £50m signing as Man Utd edge close to £63m addition
The latest transfer headlines, including updates from Newcastle and Man Utd
Newcastle United are expected to up the ante in their efforts to sign long-term target Antony Elanga from Nottingham Forest this summer.
The Magpies interest in the former Manchester United man stretches back nearly 12 months, with Eddie Howe’s side reportedly having a huge offer turned down by the City Ground club on transfer deadline day last year, according to Sky Sports.
Initial reports from the outlet claimed Forest declined an offer of around £35m with seven hours remaining of the window before the Toon at the 11th hour came back with an offer thought to be in the region of £50m.
The fact the Tricky Trees kept Elanga on board was viewed as a statement of intent by owner Evangelos Marinakis at the time as the club finished in seventh position but hasn’t stopped reports of a fresh offer.
Why are Newcastle interested in Anthony Elanga?
Newcastle enjoyed one of their best seasons in living memory as they lifted their first piece of domestic silverware since 1955 while also securing Champions League qualification for just the third time since the millennium and the second time in three seasons under Eddie Howe.
Jacob Murphy was central to that success story with an eyecatching eight goals and 12 assists in the league - numbers which dwarf his previous six seasons on Tyneside after arriving in 2017 and even spending one full season on loan at Sheffield Wednesday. However, the 30-year-old is currently Newcastle’s only natural right winger options, with Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes despite being right footed both preferring to cut inside while starting on the left.
In fact, you have to go back to the signing of Miguel Almiron, who has experienced highs, lows and everything in between before leaving in January to move back to Atalanta, for the last time the club signed a right-winger.
That particular deal happened back in January 2019 back when Mike Ashley was still at the club, meaning the club’s wealthy Saudi Arabian owners are yet to sign a right sided winger since taking over the club in October 2021, unless Yankuba Minteh (who never actually played for Newcastle) was factored in after being loaned out to Feyenoord and sold to Brighton 12 months later.
Heading into the Champions League as the Magpies discovered in 2023/24, it’s paramount that they have squad depth to cope with the demands of the competition. Elanga would give the club that depth and at 23-years-old still has the potential to develop his game and grow into one of the most feared wingers in the league. He’s blessed with incredible speed, athleticism, agility and plays with Alexander Isak at international level.
TEAMtalk understands the Magpies will make another offer in the region of £50m to try and get the deal down while crucially this time giving Forest a chance to replace him.The outlet adds that the winger is keen to join the St James’ Park club and play Champions League football next term.
The 3AM verdict: With six goals and 11 assists last season, Antony Elanga proved to be one of the most productive wingers in the league and he was crucial in helping Nottingham Forest defy the odds to qualify for Europe for the first time since the Millennium.
He offers different qualities to Murphy and is blessed with the speed and technical qualities to excel in an Eddie Howe system. As per Fbref, he had the second most fouls drawn in the league leading to a goal (3), the 10th most goal creating chances per 90 in the division (0.65) and the third most assists in the league.
For £50m it’s a gamble that the Magpies should definitely look to take as he has the potential to fit in excellently at St James’ Park.
Newcastle could allow Harvey Barnes to leave
Former Sunderland scout Mick Brown has told Football Insider that Newcastle could sell Harvey Barnes if they are successful in their pursuit of Antony Elanga.
Barnes arrived as a replacement for Allan Saint-Maximin in the summer of 2023 in a deal which cost the club around £40m following Leicester’s relegation to the Championship. He had a frustrating start to life at Newcastle despite scoring on his debut against Aston Villa but still managed five goals and three assists from 21 league appearances during an injury hit campaign.
Barnes had to be patient to get into the Newcastle team on a regular basis amid the form of Anthony Gordon and never quite looked at home on his less favoured right side when Edde Howe experimented with playing the two together. However, following Gordon’s red card in the FA Cup clash with Brighton in March, Barnes exploded into life with a series of fine displays to finish the campaign with nine goals and four assists.
“Harvey Barnes is a very talented player. But he doesn’t perform consistently enough to establish himself in the starting XI,” Brown said.
“Anthony Gordon is their first choice in that position, and they don’t think Barnes is capable of playing regularly on the right-hand side.I hear they’ll be prepared to let him go if they can bring in another winger.
“He’s already playing second-fiddle to Gordon, and he would be pushed further down the pecking order. So there are question marks about his role in the squad and whether he’d be happy with that.
“They’ve been looking at Anthony Elanga to come in on the right, but he can play on the left too if needed which makes Barnes’ role less important.If he wants to play regular football, a move away from Newcastle might have to happen. So it could be something that works for both parties, but I don’t think they’ll let him go unless they know they have that replacement coming in.”
The 3AM Verdict: Newcastle should do everything they can to keep Harvey Barnes on Tyneside to avoid a situation that they currently have on the right where they only have one recognised starter in Jacob Murphy.
Having two strong players in each position, particularly on both sides, is crucial if Newcastle are to go far in Europe while keeping themselves in a strong position to compete in the league and cup competitions.
Barnes is blessed with unique qualities that are different to Gordon’s and great goalscoring instincts which again should make him a key player next term. Signing Elanga is a great idea, but it shouldn’t come at Barnes’ expense.
Man Utd prepare £63m move for Bryan Mbeumo
Manchester United are expected to return to the table with an improved offer for Bryan Mbeumo after reportedly having a bid in the region of £55m turned down by Brentford. The Cameroon international, who scored 20 in the league last season, is expected to leave the Gtech Community Stadium and has reportedly expressed a desire to join the Red Devils despite interest from Newcastle and Tottenham.
United are reportedly prepared to offer the winger over £200,000 per week if he signs for the club, with negotiations progressing nicely. However, the one stumbling block at the moment is his price tag. But Ruben Amorim is thought to be extremely keen to get the deal done and is likely to be successful if they can reach Brentford’s reported £63 valuation.
The 3AM verdict: Bryan Mbeumo has enjoyed a career best season with a staggering 20 goals and seven assists for Brentford, making him one of the best attackers in the division.He’s proven he’s capable of being a huge upgrade on United’s existing options and is blessed with great speed, terrific workrate when pressing and excellent qualities in the final third.
It seems a no-brainer to get him on board given the team’s goalscoring struggles, but the one issue is deciding where best to utilise him. Mbeumo has too many attacking qualities to be utilised as a wing-back in Amorim’s system and is not normally used to playing through the middle in a No.10 system despite on occasion playing as a striker during Ivan Toney’s betting ban a year ago.
It has the makings of being a great signing but it certainly one that could force Amorim to either abandon his formation or adapt Mbeumo’s natural position slightly.