Newcastle and Nottingham Forest reach £55m Elanga agreement | OneFootball

Newcastle United have reached an agreement with Nottingham Forest for the signing of Anthony Elanga in a deal worth an initial £52 million.

The 23-year-old Sweden international is expected to undergo a medical in the next two days, with a five-year contract already agreed.

The deal also includes performance-related bonuses, although these are reportedly difficult to trigger.

Newcastle have been pursuing Elanga for several weeks and had a previous bid rejected in June before returning with an improved offer.

The winger is set to become the club’s first major signing of the summer and will join a squad preparing for a season of Champions League football under Eddie Howe.

Elanga played all 38 Premier League matches for Forest last season, scoring six goals and registering 11 assists as the club finished seventh in the Premier League.

His performances earned widespread praise and reignited interest from Newcastle, who had first inquired about his availability during negotiations for Elliot Anderson’s move to Forest last summer.

Manchester United, Elanga’s former club, are also set to benefit from the move due to a significant sell-on clause agreed during his £15m transfer to Forest in 2023.

Newcastle had identified right wing as their top priority heading into the summer transfer window, and Elanga is viewed as the ideal long-term solution.

It is a position that has lacked consistent output since Miguel Almiron’s move to Atlanta United in January.

Howe was reportedly determined to avoid settling for a less experienced option, with Elanga offering a blend of top-flight experience, youth and tactical intelligence.

He is expected to slot into a fast-paced front three alongside Anthony Gordon and Alexander Isak, creating what could be the Premier League’s quickest attack.

Elanga’s familiarity with Isak at international level is a bonus, especially as the club prepares to open talks with the striker over a new contract.

The deal had briefly stalled over a dispute regarding Elanga’s agency switch, but that issue was resolved after a weekend of tense negotiations.

Newcastle’s attention will now turn to strengthening other areas of the squad, with a right-sided centre-back, a new goalkeeper and a versatile forward all on the wishlist.