Nottingham Forest hit with £18m transfer U-turn amid Newcastle United Anthony Elanga bid
Nottingham Forest have been hit with a transfer blow amid Newcastle United’s interest in Anthony Elanga.
Newcastle United are attempting to sign Nottingham Forest winger Anthony Elanga - but it’s becoming an increasingly difficult deal to do.
Newcastle first enquired about Elanga last June as part of the PSR swindle that saw Elliot Anderson move to the City Ground. However, Forest said no and put forward Greek goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos, an agreement the Magpies had to accept to avoid breaching financial rules.
A second approach was then made on deadline day but despite talk of a bid, a move was never close.
Following an impressive campaign at Forest, where Elanga’s six goals and 12 assists helped them qualify for the Europa Conference League and reach the FA Cup semi-final, the 23-year-old has remained firmly on Newcastle’s radar.
Newcastle United see new Anthony Elanga bid rejected
Earlier this week, Eddie Howe’s side submitted a new bid of £45million, which was swiftly rejected by Forest. The message is the winger is not for sale, though an offer between £55m to £60m would likely test that resolve.
Signing a right forward is far more pressing for Newcastle than last summer after Miguel Almiron’s winter exit left Jacob Murphy as the only recognised option. Murphy was outstanding last term, providing eight goals and 12 assists, but lacks competition ahead of a campaign that brings domestic and European matches.
In addition to Elanga, Johan Bakayoko of PSV Eindhoven, Borussia Dortmund’s Karim Adeyemi and West Ham United’s Mohammed Kudus are of interest.
Juventus player rejects Nottingham Forest
What could also make Forest less likely to sell Elanga is not signing a replacement, and they’ve been dealt a blow on that front in the last 24 hours.
Reports earlier this week claimed Forest had reached an agreement with Juventus to sign wingers Timothy Weah and Samuel Mbangula in a deal worth £18.75million. Weah is versatile, enabling him to play on either wing or at right-back while Mbangula is predominantly a left winger but can play on the opposite side.
Both players were left out of Juventus’ squad for their Club World Cup defeat to Manchester City on Thursday with a move to England on the cards. However in a big U-turn a deal appears to be off after Weah rejected a move to the City Ground.
Fabrizio Romano tweeted: “Understand Tim Weah has now rejected move to Nottingham Forest. The player has no intention to accept the proposal and negotiations with Juventus for USMNT winger expected to collapse. Nottingham Forest has been informed now.”
Weah’s agent, Badou Sambague, has since hit out at the Italian giants over their treatment of his client.
“Weah is a fantastic player and fantastic teammate. To see people acting like this for money and because they are selfish disappointed me a lot,” Sambague said. “This is a shame”.
“Anyway, until I'm here, nobody will push one of the players I advise to go on the right or on the left like a marionnette. I am happy that Timo has a top education and a top personality to stay focus on the game”.