Nottingham Forest reject £45 million bid from Newcastle United for Anthony Elanga

Newcastle United have had a £45 million bid for Anthony Elanga rejected by Nottingham Forest, according to The Athletic.

Elanga has flourished at Forest since joining from Manchester United for £15 million in July 2023.

He bagged six goals and 11 assists in 38 league appearances last season, playing a crucial role in helping Forest finish seventh in the standings.

His pace, work rate and ability to operate across multiple attacking positions have made him an indispensable part of Nuno Espirito Santo’s side.

Newcastle are in the market for a new right-sided attacker and were strongly linked with Bryan Mbeumo earlier in the transfer window.

Their most recent bid for Elanga has been rejected, with Forest unwilling to part company with him.

Forest are under no immediate pressure to sell, having secured new broadcast revenues through European qualification.

Owner Evangelos Marinakis and the club’s board have made it clear that their ambitions lie in competing at the top level, not in cashing out on rising talents.

Newcastle must now decide whether to test Forest’s resolve with a significantly larger bid or pivot to other names on their shortlist.

Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo is an alternative, while West Ham United’s Mohammed Kudus is also admired, although both players would bring their own pricing complexities.

Semenyo is currently a target for Tottenham Hotspur, who have been quoted £70m. Kudus has an £85m release clause in his contract for Premier League clubs.