Anthony Elanga to Join Newcastle in £55m Transfer from Forest.
Anthony Elanga to Join Newcastle in £55m Transfer from Forest as the Magpies bolster their attack ahead of the new Premier League season.
Newcastle are looking to improve their attacking options as they prepare to return to the Champions League after finishing fifth in the Premier League last season.
During Nuno Espirito Santo’s brilliant 2024-25 Premier League season, the 23-year-old scored six goals and assisted on eleven others.
The only new player Newcastle has paid for this summer is Antonio Cordero, an 18-year-old Spanish winger who joined on a free transfer from Malaga.
In 2023, Forest reportedly spent £15 million to sign Elanga from Manchester United for a five-year contract.
Before relocating to the City Ground, he made 55 appearances at Old Trafford, where he had arrived at the age of 12.
After a fantastic season with Forest, Elanga’s stock has increased significantly, as evidenced by Newcastle’s pursuit of him.
According to his statistical profile, he is not only improving but is thriving in several key offensive indicators.
Elanga is ranked among the top percentile of Premier League offensive midfielders and wingers across several categories in the radar chart below, which was provided by Opta via FBref.
He exceeds 80% of comparable players in that crucial attacking metric, as evidenced by his goal-creating actions, which place him in the 80th percentile.
In addition to having an eye for goal, his high percentile for shots-on-target percentage also demonstrates how effectively he forces keepers to work. He doesn’t miss opportunities.
Anthony Elanga in 2024-25
Percentiles compared with other attacking midfielders/wingers in the Premier League.
Elanga’s crossing output also sits near the top of the scale. Whereas none of Newcastle’s wingers – Jacob Murphy, Harvey Barnes, or Anthony Gordon – averages more than 4.85 crosses per 90 minutes, Elanga averages 6.65.
His progressive carries – how frequently he moves the ball towards goal – highlight his directness and willingness to take on defenders, which added dynamism to Forest’s attack.
Even his goals-per-shot ratio reflects a sharpness in front of goal that is rare among wingers.
For Newcastle, these numbers represent everything they need: pace, efficiency, and creativity in the final third.
Elanga, who can play wide or centrally, fits the profile of a player who could unlock defenses both at home and in Europe.
