Newcastle United approaches for both Anthony Elanga and Joao Pedro confirmed | OneFootball

Saturday brought reports of Newcastle United approaches for both Joao Pedro and Anthony Elanga.

Mike McGrath at The Telegraph has been a very reliable source in the past when it comes to Newcastle United in the transfer market and it was he who broke the story (see below) on Joao Pedro.

The man from The Telegraph saying that Eddie Howe has long admired Joao Pedro and tracked him since arriving at Watford at the age of 18.

Looking at his stats since joining Brighton from Watford for £30m two years ago, they are pretty outstanding. Making 48 starts (18 sub appearances), the striker has scored 25 goals these past two years.

Last season in the Premier League Joao Pedro managed 16 Premier League direct goal involvements, 10 goals and six assists, despite starting only 23 PL matches (four sub appearances).

Yesterday also brought news that Newcastle United were back in for Anthony Elanga.

United having failed to sign the winger on deadline day in summer 2024, Elanga himself confirmed that Newcastle had indeed been interested in signing him, when talking to Swedish media (see below) shortly after that transfer window closed.

Now on Sunday, Craig Hope at The Mail has confirmed that Newcastle United have indeed made approaches to both Brighton and Nottingham Forest, for Joao Pedro and Anthony Elanga respectively.

As always with transfer stories/claims you have to be sceptical until any signing actually happens. However, for what it’s worth, I am inclined to believe that there is United interest in both of these players, Eddie Howe clearly seeing both of them fitting the kind of player profile he is interested in.

Whether the intention/hope is to sign one of the pair or both of them remains to be seen, plus of course most importantly, whether Newcastle United manage to get either of them over the line anytime soon, or indeed, any major signing in the near future.

No panic but a massive boost if/when United can make their first big signing of the summer.

The Telegraph – Mike McGrath reporting 7 June 2025:

‘Newcastle United are ready to step up their pursuit of Joao Pedro after identifying the Brighton and Hove Albion forward as the ideal profile to bolster Eddie Howe’s attack.

As revealed by Telegraph Sport, Howe initially targeted Bryan Mbeumo this summer but the Brentford forward is heading towards Manchester United in a deal worth more than £60 million.

Newcastle have now turned to Pedro, who is rated just as highly at St James’ Park, and Howe has been tracking the 23-year-old’s progress since he moved from Fluminense to Watford in 2020 as a teenager.

His technical ability, pace and strength has seen him targeted as a player considered at Newcastle previously.

The Newcastle manager has been looking to add a wide forward who can cut inside with Pedro seen as the ideal candidate to support Alexander Isak as centre-forward while also being able to play through the middle himself.

Brighton are expected to want upwards of £60 million for the forward who they landed from Watford in a club-record £30 million deal two seasons ago.’

Anthony Elanga talking to Fotboll Skanalen regarding Newcastle United trying to sign him – 9 September 2024:

“It is clear you can see that Newcastle United are interested [in signing me].

“It means that I’m playing good football, when a big club shows interest.

“However, Nottingham Forest is also a big club.

“They have won two Champions Leagues, even though it was before I was born… but I am happy in Nottingham and have a contract there.

“I am focusing on Nottingham Forest and I hope to have a good season, then we will see what happens…

“Alexander Isak talked to me about it (Newcastle United interest in signing Anthony Elanga).