Nottingham Forest winger Anthony Elanga set for medical ahead of £55m switch to Champions League-bound Newcastle United
Newcastle United have struck a £55 million deal to sign Anthony Elanga from Nottingham Forest, with the Swedish winger now expected to undergo a medical before completing the switch to Tyneside.
The 23-year-old former Manchester United prodigy is poised for Champions League football after agreeing personal terms, in what marks a significant upgrade to Eddie Howe’s attacking options. The final details of the deal are being ironed out, but the core of the agreement is already in place.
Elanga, who joined Forest in 2023 following his departure from Old Trafford, has been one of the Premier League’s breakout stars. Last season, he recorded 11 assists in the league — and 18 goal contributions in total across all competitions — as he spearheaded Forest’s devastating counter-attacks and nearly propelled them into Europe.
Sky Sports’ William Bitibiri noted that Elanga’s relentless off-season training with personal coach Tom Joyce translated into a more refined and lethal final product. “It was in those very sessions where he prepared for his most productive season,” Bitibiri said, calling the campaign a “breakout after the breakout.”
Newcastle had tabled their £55m offer late last week, and discussions centred around the structure of payments before Forest accepted. Elanga’s camp is said to be enthusiastic about the move, especially the opportunity to link up with fellow Swede and Newcastle striker Alexander Isak in the Champions League under a manager who has long admired his talents.
Embed from Getty Images“Ambitions, while kept personal, were loud,” Bitibiri added. “Elanga now takes the next step in a career built on speed, determination, and steady evolution.”
Elanga’s versatility across the front line and improved decision-making in the final third make him a natural successor to Callum Wilson, whose departure was confirmed earlier on Monday. The 33-year-old striker leaves after four years at St James’ Park, during which he made 130 appearances and scored 49 goals.
“I am so proud to have worn the iconic number 9 shirt,” Wilson said in a farewell message. “Newcastle will always have a place in mine and my family’s hearts.”
Elanga’s arrival represents both a strategic upgrade and a shift in attacking style for Newcastle, who are now building for consistency in Europe. His blistering pace and creative flair — honed in a difficult but transformative stint at Forest — will likely see him slotted straight into Howe’s plans.
Nottingham Forest, meanwhile, have managed to secure a lucrative return on a player they signed for just £15m two summers ago. Though they will lose a critical offensive outlet, the club locked down another key player as Nigerian international Ola Aina signed a new three-year deal to stay at the City Ground until 2028.
“It’s always felt like home since I joined,” Aina said. “Now my focus is on preparing for the new season and getting back to hard work.”
Elanga’s sale helps balance Forest’s books and clears the way for potential reinvestment, while Newcastle continue reshaping their squad ahead of a demanding European campaign. The Magpies remain active in the market and are expected to confirm additional signings in the coming weeks.
As Anthony Elanga prepares to pull on the black-and-white stripes, he does so not as a raw academy graduate but as a refined Premier League weapon — and a symbol of Newcastle’s ambitions to challenge on all fronts.
