What will Newcastle United do with regards to their attacking targets this summer? Well, a man who seemed to be their first choice option, Bryan Mbeumo, is seemingly set to join Manchester United. The Manchester Evening News reports that the Old Trafford club ‘are expected to continue prioritising the signing’ of the Brentford attacker this summer.
With a move for the Cameroon international likely off the cards now, Newcastle have also been linked with Brighton and Hove Albion attacker Joao Pedro, with reports suggesting that talks have been held regarding a move for the Brazilian.
In recent days, another attacking target has emerged for the Magpies, and they could well pursue a move for him this summer.
Newcastle’s attacking target
So, with Mbeumo seemingly out of the picture now for the Magpies, and a move for Pedro still on the fence, it means Eddie Howe’s side might need to move for another attacker. At the very least, that plan is clear; sign a versatile forward.
Well, the man they could now turn to as an alternative is Nottingham Forest forward Anthony Elanga. According to TEAMTalk, Newcastle are ‘are pushing to secure the services’ of the Sweden international this summer.
Encouragingly for Howe and his side, Elanga is ‘keen on teaming up with’ the North Eastern outfit, although it might not be that simple.
Forest could ask for as much as £70m for the attacker, but the Magpies would want to pay as little as £55m. They are thought to have ‘confidence’ about agreeing to a deal at that price.
Why Elanga would be a good signing
It was an impressive season for Elanga in the 2024/25 season for Forest. He helped his side reach the UEFA Conference League and put up a real fight for a spot in the Champions League for large parts of the campaign.
The 23-year-old Sweden international was something of an assist machine in a Forest shirt last term. He featured in all 38 games in the Premier League, assisting 11 goals and scoring six times, too.
There were only two players who registered more assists last term than Elanga. They were Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah, and Newcastle’s own winger, Jacob Murphy.
If Howe was to have the second and third highest assisters in the Premier League last term at his disposal, it would be hugely exciting for Newcastle fans.
One thing is for sure: the Magpies are looking for a versatile attacker to add to their squad. Not only does Elanga fit that bill, having played right across the frontline last season, but so too do Mbeumo and Pedro.
The Brentford attacker, who is 25 years of age, bagged 20 goals and eight assists last season, mainly operating from the wing, but leading the line six times, too. He got five goals and assists in that time.
As for Pedro, he played as a centre-forward more often than not for the Seagulls under Fabian Hurzeler. However, during his 70 games on the South Coast, he has played as a second striker and left-winger.
It does feel like, if they sign Elanga, the Magpies get the best of both players. The 23-year-old can play on either wing, and his first Premier League goal came when he led the line for Man United against Wolves back in 2021.
The stats suggest that the Forest attacker is a hybrid of Newcastle’s other two targets. They were the two most stylistically similar players among those in their position in the Premier League in 2024/25, as per FBref, and when looking at the numbers, their similarities are clear to see.
For example, Elanga’s 0.65 goal-creating actions each game last season are a similar number to Mbeumo’s 0.53 and Pedro’s 0.42. Stats like that demonstrate the fact that he will bring elite chance creation, with Elanga able to fashion goals out of nowhere.
Elanga key stats vs. Mbeumo and Pedro | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Stat (per 90) | Elanga | Mbeumo | Pedro |
Goals and assists | 0.61 | 0.71 | 0.74 |
Key passes | 1.8 | 1.85 | 1.39 |
Shot-creating actions | 3.67 | 3.8 | 3.32 |
Goal-creating actions | 0.65 | 0.53 | 0.42 |
Progressive carries | 3.67 | 3.43 | 3.06 |
Stats from FBref | |||
£55m could be a bargain for Elanga. With Mbeumo off the table due to Man United’s interest and a deal for Pedro nowhere near complete, Elanga is the perfect alternative.
As the stats suggest, he is, in many ways, a hybrid of the two players.
This could be the perfect addition for the Magpies, as they look to add a “dangerous” attacker to their ranks, as Statman Dave once called him. He could be an excellent signing.
Related
Better fit than Mbeumo: Newcastle open talks to sign “world-class” PL star
Newcastle are pushing to sign new forwards in the transfer market this summer.
