Anthony Elanga sends Newcastle United ‘agent’ two-word message before withdrawing from squad
Newcastle United are once again eyeing Nottingham Forest winger Anthony Elanga as they intensify their search for reinforcements on the right flank ahead of the 2025/26 season. The Magpies had previously explored a move for the 23-year-old at both the beginning and end of the 2024 summer transfer window, though talks ultimately fell through and a deal never materialised. However, the club’s longstanding interest in the Swedish international has not diminished.
Now, with the summer window open again and Newcastle keen to bolster their attacking depth, especially on the right wing, Elanga has re-emerged as a primary target. The former Manchester United prospect has enjoyed two impressive seasons with Nottingham Forest, establishing himself as one of the Premier League’s most promising wide players.
In the 2024/25 campaign, Elanga played a pivotal role in helping Forest finish seventh in the league – their best top-flight finish in over three decades – which secured European football for the club for the first time in more than 30 years. Elanga’s contribution was substantial, notching six goals and providing 11 assists across 38 Premier League appearances. That marked an improvement from his previous season’s tally of five goals and nine assists, highlighting his upward trajectory.
Given his age, profile, and Premier League experience, Forest are expected to demand a significant fee for the winger, who still has several years of development ahead. Despite the potential cost, there’s a belief within the Newcastle camp that manager Eddie Howe and his coaching staff can elevate Elanga’s game even further, potentially turning him into one of the league’s elite attacking talents.
Newcastle’s need for reinforcements on the right wing has become increasingly apparent. Jacob Murphy enjoyed a breakout season in 2024/25, contributing an impressive nine goals and 14 assists, but at 30 years old, he remains unchallenged in his position. The departure of Miguel Almirón in January has further thinned Newcastle’s options on the flanks, especially with the added fixture congestion brought on by their upcoming Champions League campaign. Bringing in another high-quality winger is now seen as a top priority, and Elanga fits the bill perfectly.
Elanga Withdraws from Sweden Squad Amid Newcastle Transfer Links
Adding more intrigue to the situation, Elanga recently played a full 90 minutes for Sweden in their 2-0 win over Hungary on Friday. However, the winger has since withdrawn from the squad ahead of their next friendly against Algeria, citing personal reasons.
Sweden’s head coach, Jon Dahl Tomasson – a former Newcastle United striker himself – was quick to clarify the situation. Speaking to Fotbolldirekt, Tomasson explained that Elanga’s absence from the upcoming match had been planned well in advance and wasn’t influenced by ongoing transfer speculation.
“He is not playing the second game for personal reasons. It is something we agreed on a long time ago,” Tomasson said. “He may train with us before the match against Algeria, but he will not play. It is also possible that he will leave the camp after the first game.”
Despite the timing, the explanation has done little to quiet the growing whispers linking Elanga with a summer move to Tyneside.
Ties to Newcastle Growing Stronger
Elanga already shares strong ties with several Newcastle United players, which could help smooth over any potential transition. He has played for Sweden alongside Newcastle’s star striker Alexander Isak and defender Emil Krafth, forming close bonds with both. Following Sweden’s recent win over Hungary, Elanga even joked about Isak trying to get in touch with him after the game.
“He must have tried to call me about the match,” Elanga quipped when asked about the Newcastle forward. “[And] that I should have scored.”
In addition to his relationship with Isak, Elanga is also good friends with Newcastle’s most recent senior signing, William Osula. The young striker joined from Sheffield United last August in a deal worth around £10 million. The two players have been in contact regularly and recently interacted on social media, adding fuel to the fire of speculation that Elanga could be on the move.
Over the weekend, Osula posted several images from a trip to New York City, enjoying some downtime ahead of pre-season. Elanga, in a move noticed by fans, publicly engaged with Osula’s post – a subtle yet suggestive interaction that’s already been interpreted by some as a cheeky nod to the winger’s potential transfer.
With Newcastle pushing to assemble a deeper and more dynamic squad ahead of their Champions League return, Anthony Elanga could be the next exciting piece in Eddie Howe’s puzzle. Whether a deal can be struck with Forest remains to be seen, but one thing is certain – Newcastle’s interest is very much alive, and their pursuit is picking up pace.