Newcastle United Transfer Latest: Giorgio Scalvini, Marc Guehi, Leonardo Balerdi and More | OneFootball

Elanga Deal Signals Newcastle’s Summer Business Is Finally Underway

Newcastle United have made a decisive move in the summer transfer market, agreeing a deal for Nottingham Forest winger Anthony Elanga. The 23-year-old Swede is now on course to become the club’s first senior signing of the window, as reported by The Athletic.

After an uncharacteristically slow start to the summer, Newcastle fans can finally breathe a little easier. Several failed pursuits, including Joao Pedro’s move to Chelsea and a lack of progress on James Trafford, had raised concerns over the club’s readiness for the new campaign. But Monday’s breakthrough with Elanga suggests a more focused approach is finally taking shape.

“Elanga is a long-term target and is deemed to be the ideal right-wing addition which Newcastle have been seeking since the takeover in late 2021, given his pace, strength with both feet and Premier League experience.” His versatility and effectiveness in transitions make him a valuable addition to a squad looking to return to Champions League qualification.

Photo IMAGO

Coaching Setup Getting a Boost

Off the pitch, the club are also restructuring. Newcastle are close to appointing Martin Mark from FC Midtjylland to a new set-piece coach role, another development first revealed by The Athletic. This move underlines a growing emphasis on marginal gains, especially as the Magpies look to compete on multiple fronts in 2025-26.

This comes amid significant backroom shifts. Former sporting director Paul Mitchell is no longer overseeing transfers, while CEO Darren Eales is working through the final months of his notice after a cancer diagnosis. The recruitment responsibility now lies heavily on head coach Eddie Howe, Andy Howe, and Steve Nickson.

Defensive and Attacking Reinforcements Targeted

Centre-back, right-wing, and goalkeeper remain the key positions Newcastle are targeting. Elanga helps resolve the issue out wide, but attention is also turning to defensive targets. England international Marc Guehi is still of interest, having been tracked extensively last summer.

“Atalanta’s Giorgio Scalvini is also admired… but no bid has been launched or discussions initiated.” Likewise, Marseille’s Leonardo Balerdi remains under consideration. There has been no bid for Bayer Leverkusen’s Edmond Tapsoba, despite speculation.

Photo: IMAGO

Up front, Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s name has now entered discussions, though there is no firm move yet. His free-agent status and similarities to Joao Pedro have prompted a re-evaluation, reflecting the flexibility in Newcastle’s current recruitment strategy.

Departures Confirmed and Others on the Table

Callum Wilson’s departure after his contract expired was confirmed on Monday. While John Ruddy looks set to stay, both Odysseas Vlachodimos and Martin Dubravka could leave depending on incoming transfers.

While Newcastle are clear they will not sell stars like Bruno Guimaraes, Alexander Isak or Anthony Gordon, others such as Matt Targett, Sean Longstaff and Isaac Hayden are available for the right offers. Longstaff, in particular, is attracting interest from promoted Leeds United.

Elanga’s Fit and Potential Impact

Elanga’s arrival would immediately solve Newcastle’s lack of depth on the right flank. Jacob Murphy remains the only natural fit there, and previous experiments with Gordon and Barnes have not worked well.

With 6 goals and 11 assists in the league last season, Elanga has shown he can deliver end product. “Only three Premier League attackers got more shots away from fast breaks than his 10.” His combination of pace, defensive work, and positional discipline fits perfectly into Howe’s high-intensity blueprint.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

As a Newcastle fan, this is the kind of signing that finally feels like proper momentum. Elanga is exactly what we’ve been crying out for — not just pace but someone who can play across the front line and hurt teams on the counter. We all saw what he did at Forest, and if he can produce those numbers in a struggling team, imagine what he can do with Bruno, Isak, and Gordon around him.

It’s about time we stopped messing about with half-fit wingers or shoehorning players into roles that don’t suit them. Murphy has done his best, but we’ve lacked that real dynamism on the right since Almiron’s purple patch faded. This feels like a signing that sets a proper tone.

Also, hearing about Guehi and Scalvini being tracked is encouraging. We need steel at the back and mobility if we’re going back into Europe. One signing might not win us the league, but this could be the domino that gets the whole window moving.