Newcastle have made the acquisition of a new right-sided attacker a key priority this summer, and having missed out on Bryan Mbeumo, who looks likely to join Manchester United, the Magpies’ recruitment team have set their sights on Elanga.
Brighton’s Joao Pedro and Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo are alternative options, but Elanga is currently regarded as Newcastle’s leading target.
The Magpies made an unsuccessful attempt to sign the Sweden international at the end of last summer’s transfer window, but their bid of around £35m was rejected at the City Ground.
There is understood to have been new contact between the two clubs to discuss the possibility of a deal this summer, although there has not yet been a new formal offer for Forest chiefs to consider.
That is expected to change later this month, but the Forest hierarchy are adamant they will not be allowing Elanga to leave unless their valuation is met. A £50m sum has been mentioned as Forest’s starting point for negotiations, which is higher than Newcastle would want to pay for a player who is contracted with his current employers until 2027.
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Ideally, the Magpies would like to strike a deal for an initial fee of around £35m, the same bid they tabled ten months ago. However, they would be willing to consider a series of add-ons that would potentially raise the overall value of the deal considerably if Elanga performed well in a Newcastle shirt.
Elanga scored six goals for Forest last season and also claimed 11 assists, the joint-third highest tally in the Premier League. His versatility adds to his appeal as he could also play on the opposite flank or as a central striker if needed.
Meanwhile, Newcastle are set to sign teenage defender Oliver Goodbrand from Rangers.
The 16-year-old left-back is regarded as one of the most exciting young talents in Britain, and Rangers had been hoping he would sign his first professional terms at Ibrox.
Instead, Goodbrand has opted to head south of the border to join Newcastle, who will have to pay a compensation fee to Rangers in order to complete a deal.
Goodbrand played for Rangers’ Under-18s team at the age of just 15 and is understood to have been offered a move to a host of clubs from right across Europe.
He will be the second youngster to join Newcastle this summer, following Antonio Cordero, whose transfer from Malaga will officially be completed on July 1.
