Fabrizio Romano: Anthony Elanga to Newcastle, here we go! Deal in place club to club with Nottingham Forest for £55m. Agreement also in place with player’s camp on long term deal.
Newcastle United are on the verge of announcing their first signing of the summer as they close in on the capture of Anthony Elanga from Nottingham Forest in a big-money deal. Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has confirmed the move with his trademark “Here we go!” — a clear signal that everything is in place for the Swede to become a Magpies player.
A £55 million agreement, including performance-related add-ons, has been reached between the two Premier League clubs, making Elanga one of the most expensive acquisitions in Newcastle United’s history. This deal will place him level with Sandro Tonali as the club’s joint-second costliest signing, trailing only Alexander Isak, who arrived in 2022 for a club-record £63 million.
Elanga, who began his professional career at Manchester United, made the switch to Forest in 2023 and quickly established himself as one of the league’s most exciting young talents. Now, just one season later, he is on the brink of another major move — this time to a Newcastle side looking to build on their recent domestic and European progress.
The 22-year-old winger flew into Newcastle Airport from Portugal earlier today, arriving on Tyneside to finalize the transfer process. The deal is now entering its final stages, with personal terms already agreed between the club and the player’s representatives. Elanga will now undergo a comprehensive medical assessment at a facility in the North East before the move is officially confirmed.
Known for his electric pace and elite-level fitness, Elanga is regarded as one of the quickest players in the Premier League. During a recent training stint in Portugal, he reportedly clocked an astonishing 10.93 seconds in a 100-meter sprint, underlining the explosive physicality he brings to the pitch. His remarkable durability has also caught the eye — he featured in every Premier League match for Nottingham Forest last season as they secured a spot in European competition.
Newcastle are not expecting any complications during the medical, with Elanga having maintained an excellent fitness record over the past two seasons. Assuming all goes as planned, the club hopes to officially unveil him as a Newcastle player within the next 48 hours.
Once the paperwork is finalized, Elanga is expected to join Eddie Howe’s squad for their pre-season tour in Austria, where preparations are already underway for the new Premier League campaign.
The Sweden international won’t be short of familiar faces at St. James’ Park. He already shares a close friendship with Newcastle striker William Osula, with the duo recently seen vacationing together. He’s also well-acquainted with fellow Swedes Alexander Isak and Emil Krafth, which should help him settle quickly into the squad both on and off the pitch.
Elanga is set to compete with Jacob Murphy for a starting role on the right flank, but his versatility means he can also be deployed on the left or even through the middle if required — providing Eddie Howe with a dynamic attacking option capable of playing across the front line.
The signing is seen as a major statement of intent by Newcastle, who are keen to reinforce their squad with high-energy, high-impact players capable of sustaining the physical demands of both domestic and European football.
Elanga’s arrival marks not just the first move of Newcastle’s summer but potentially one of the most significant, as the club looks to push further up the table and make deeper runs in continental competitions.