But it could be one in, one out at St James’ Park, with Leeds United having made a fresh move for Sean Longstaff.
The Premier League newcomers are said to have bid £10m plus £2m in add-ons for the midfielder, who lost his place in the Newcastle side last season and has just 12 months to run on his existing contract.
The Magpies are currently considering the offer but Leeds have made it known they won’t go much higher, according to the Athletic. Personal terms are already said to be in place.
While Newcastle contemplate their response to Leeds’ latest Longstaff bid – their third – the Magpies are now closing in on their first major signing since the summer of 2023.
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The Magpies have long tracked Elanga and made a breakthrough at the end of last week when a deal was agreed with Forest. An issue with agents held up the deal, but that was resolved on Monday, and Elanga – who is currently out training on his own in Portugal having been given an extended summer break by his current club – is set for a medical with United in the next 48 hours.
Newcastle’s first team reported back for pre-season on Monday and Elanga is now expected to link-up with his new teammates by the end of the week.
The breakthrough is a major boost for Eddie Howe, who has been keen to strengthen on the right side of Newcastle’s attack since last summer. Elanga has always been a leading target.
The 23-year-old played in all of Forest’s 38 Premier League games last season, scoring six goals and registering 11 assists.
Manchester United, Elanga’s former club, are due to receive a significant sell-on fee from the move.
James Trafford is still expected to follow Elanga through the door at St James’ Park, with Newcastle also looking to sign a centre-half and a versatile forward this summer.
But there will also be exits, and Longstaff’s possible departure has been on the cards since the turn of the year. The 27-year-old didn’t start a single Premier League game for Newcastle last season after the 4-2 defeat at Brentford in December.
