Newcastle United set for £85m double swoop as Champions League duo targeted & personal terms agreed

Newcastle United Close in on Major Transfer Business as Summer Window Gains Momentum

Newcastle United appear to be ramping up their activity in the summer transfer market after a relatively quiet start, though they are still awaiting the completion of a headline-grabbing signing to truly kick off their Premier League preparations. The Magpies have made some initial progress, and in recent days, developments have suggested that a breakthrough may be just around the corner.

The opening month of the summer transfer window was sluggish for Eddie Howe’s side, with no major arrivals secured and only one low-key addition made official — the signing of young Spanish midfielder Antonio Cordero from Malaga on a free transfer. While the 18-year-old has officially joined the club, he is expected to head out on loan for the 2025/26 season and, as such, won’t be considered part of the first-team plans just yet.

Elsewhere, defender Lloyd Kelly, who had been linked with a permanent switch to Tyneside following a previous loan stint, has instead completed a move to Juventus. The transfer to the Italian giants is reportedly worth up to £20 million, ending speculation about a potential return to St James’ Park.

As fans eagerly await the first significant senior addition of the summer, attention has turned to Nottingham Forest winger Anthony Elanga — and excitement is building that the Swedish international could soon be donning black and white stripes.

Could Elanga Be the First Major Signing of the Summer?

The pursuit of Anthony Elanga has emerged as one of the most talked-about sagas of Newcastle’s transfer window so far. While it remains premature to state that a deal is done, there are growing indications that the 23-year-old could be on the verge of making the switch to Tyneside.

Newcastle made their initial move last month with a £45 million bid for the winger, who enjoyed an impressive 2024/25 campaign with Forest. That offer was swiftly turned down, with Forest making it clear at the time that Elanga was not for sale. However, the situation has shifted significantly over the past week.

Newcastle have since returned with an improved proposal, believed to be worth £55 million including performance-related add-ons. While the revised offer has not yet been officially accepted, it hasn’t been rejected either. Talks between the two clubs are said to be ongoing, primarily centered around the structure of the payment and the nature of the potential bonuses included in the deal.

Encouragingly for the Magpies, personal terms are not thought to be a stumbling block. Elanga is reportedly open to the move and is excited by the opportunity to link up with close friends Alexander Isak and William Osula at Newcastle, as well as the chance to compete in the UEFA Champions League — a significant step up from his current situation at Forest.

Should the deal go through at the proposed fee, Elanga would become the second-most expensive signing in Newcastle’s history, trailing only behind club-record signing Isak. While there are still a few details to iron out, the general consensus is that a deal is likely to be concluded in the coming days, barring any unexpected setbacks.

Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Newcastle in the Market?

With the Elanga deal nearing completion, attention will soon shift to further reinforcements across the squad. Newcastle are understood to be targeting additional defensive and midfield options, with the club keen to strengthen in key areas ahead of a campaign that will see them return to the Champions League spotlight.

Shields Gazette journalist Dominic Scurr, who has been closely following Newcastle’s summer transfer activity, suggests that while things started slowly, the Magpies are now finding their stride and should be more active in the weeks ahead. The club is believed to be prioritizing quality over quantity, with several high-profile targets under consideration.

There’s also speculation that Newcastle could look to offload a few fringe players to free up space in the squad and balance the books, especially with Financial Fair Play regulations in mind.

In summary, Newcastle’s summer window may have started off at a crawl, but all signs point to a busy and ambitious few weeks ahead. If the Elanga deal is completed soon, it could provide the spark for a flurry of further activity — as the club aims to build a squad capable of competing on multiple fronts in the 2025/26 season.