Anthony Elanga transfer row flares as Newcastle United told to unleash ‘next level’

Newcastle United Maintain Interest in Anthony Elanga Despite £60m Price Tag Amid Fan Debate

 

Newcastle United continue to show interest in Nottingham Forest winger Anthony Elanga, even as reports suggest the Swedish international could come with a hefty price tag of around £60 million. The Magpies are actively seeking reinforcements on the right wing this summer, and Elanga remains on their radar after they made an unsuccessful bid for him on transfer deadline day last year.

 

With Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo reportedly demanding wages in the region of £250,000 per week, Newcastle appear to have shifted focus back to Elanga, who presents a more financially viable, if still costly, alternative. However, the potential signing has divided both fans and pundits alike.

 

Elanga’s Premier League record, which stands at 14 goals and 23 assists over 113 appearances, has failed to inspire universal confidence among the Newcastle fan base. While his numbers show promise, some supporters feel they fall short of what’s needed for a club aiming to challenge the Premier League elite.

 

The subject of Elanga’s potential move sparked a passionate debate on this week’s episode of the Everything is Black and White Podcast. Co-hosts Andrew Musgrove and Sam Mulliner found themselves at odds over whether Elanga is the right fit for Eddie Howe’s squad.

 

Mulliner expressed reservations about the 22-year-old winger, arguing that Elanga may have been a decent signing during the club’s earlier rebuilding phases, but questioned whether he has the quality to help Newcastle reach the next level.

 

“Elanga would have made sense a couple of years ago, back when we were just breaking into the higher levels of the Premier League,” said Mulliner. “Now, we’ve played in the Champions League twice in three seasons and won a domestic trophy — we’re on a different trajectory.”

 

He continued, “I’m not saying Elanga is a bad player — he’s clearly talented and I’d support him if he joined — but I just don’t see the kind of ceiling that turns a good player into a great one.”

 

Musgrove, however, took a much more optimistic stance. He believes that Elanga’s raw pace, work ethic, and potential for development could make him a valuable asset under Howe’s management, especially given the current lack of depth on the right flank.

 

“I totally disagree,” Musgrove told Mulliner during the podcast. “He has so much more to offer. No, he’s not world class — and he may never be — but with the right coaching, I think he could be a brilliant addition to this team.”

 

He added that Elanga’s arrival could provide real competition for Jacob Murphy, who has largely been unchallenged on the right wing since Miguel Almiron’s departure in January. Musgrove believes that even if Elanga doesn’t reach superstar status, his presence could still elevate the team’s overall performance.

 

“It’s not always about signing the next superstar. Sometimes it’s about assembling a cohesive unit, and Elanga has the right attributes to make us better,” Musgrove argued. “With a few more key signings, this squad could become title challengers.”

 

Musgrove emphasized that Newcastle’s recruitment should focus not only on individual brilliance but on the collective impact players can bring — and in his view, Elanga fits that model well.

 

However, Mulliner remains concerned that Elanga, along with another reported target, Brighton’s João Pedro, may not be the transformative signings needed to push the club to true title contention. With a potential combined cost of around £120 million for the pair, Mulliner questioned the club’s strategy.

 

“I think the mentality needs to shift,” he said. “We’ve got the monkey off our back now — we’ve won a trophy. We’ve had Champions League football, and we’ve got a top-tier manager in Eddie Howe. Now is the time to go for elite-level signings, not just good players with potential.”

 

He went on to compare Newcastle’s current transfer activity — or lack thereof — with the more aggressive and efficient business being conducted by other top-six rivals.

 

“We’re being left behind already,” Mulliner warned. “Look at Manchester City and Liverpool — they’re strengthening decisively. We need to act now, not later.”

 

Mulliner concluded by reiterating his position: “This is a crucial moment. We have the financial flexibility under PSR regulations, a solid foundation, and momentum. It’s not about being delusional or expecting miracles — it’s about making the right moves to keep progressing. And while João Pedro might still grow into something great, Elanga, for me, doesn’t move the needle enough.”

 

As Newcastle’s recruitment drive continues, the debate around Anthony Elanga highlights a broader dilemma facing the club — whether to invest in developing talents with potential or to pursue proven stars capable of delivering immediate results. The answer could define the trajectory of their 2025/26 campaign.