Newcastle United 'tried the impossible’ on deadline day as £35m transfer rejected
Newcastle United tried - and failed - with a late attempt to sign Nottingham Forest winger Anthony Elanga
Former Aston Villa defender Curtis Davies has insisted Newcastle United were wasting their time trying to sign Anthony Elanga.
Toon chiefs reportedly made a last-ditch attempt to sign the winger, who only joined Nottingham Forest a year ago. Elanga ripped the Magpies apart at St James’ Park on Boxing Day and the Magpies were targeting a right-sided attacker.
Combined with Newcastle failing to sign Marc Guehi, various sources claimed a desperate attempt to buy Elanga fell flat. Eddie Howe must now cope with Miguel Almiron and Jacob Murphy as his first-team options on the right flank.
Speaking on Sky Sports, ex-Premier League defender Davies insisted signing Elanga was “impossible” for Newcastle. He said: “The fact that they are not going to get (Marc) Guehi, they might have found that pocket of money that is available to actually go out and spend it.
“But I also think it could be a tactic to almost upset him a little bit. They could revisit it in January because, at this stage, a club like Nottingham Forest want to stay in this league, first and foremost.
“To take one of their most important players, probably their most important player alongside Gibbs-White for me, at this stage of the window, and, as we said, if they are not going to send them a player back as well, it’s impossible.
“Of course, £35million is good money, but for Premier League clubs nowadays to lose one of your best players on deadline day for that, I think you would have to go probably £50million, £60million if you are going to try to get him out today.”