Newcastle United have agreed a £55m charge with Nottingham Forest for Sweden winger Anthony Elanga.
Sources have instructed BBC Sport the deal may very well be accomplished this week.
Newcastle are looking for to strengthen their attacking choices as they put together for his or her return to the Champions League following a fifth-placed Premier League end final season.
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The 23-year-old scored six targets and produced 11 assists for Nuno Espirito Santo’s facet throughout their profitable 2024-25 Premier League season.
Newcastle have but to pay a charge for a participant this summer time, with 18-year-old the one new arrival on a free switch from Malaga.
Forest are to signal Elanga from Manchester United on a five-year-deal in 2023.
He had arrived at Outdated Trafford on the age of 12 and made 55 appearances earlier than transferring to the Metropolis Floor.
Why do Newcastle need Elanga?
Newcastle’s pursuit of Elanga underlines simply how far his inventory has risen after a stellar marketing campaign with Forest.
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His statistical profile paints the image of a participant not simply enhancing, however excelling in a few of the most vital attacking metrics.
The radar chart under, offered by Opta through FBref, exhibits Elanga rating within the high percentiles amongst Premier League attacking midfielders and wingers throughout a number of classes.
Being within the eightieth percentile for goal-creating actions means he outperforms 80% of comparable gamers in that key attacking measure.
His excessive percentile for shots-on-target proportion additionally highlights not simply an eye fixed for aim however effectivity in making goalkeepers work. He does not waste probabilities.
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Elanga’s crossing means sits close to the highest of the dimensions, an important asset for any group counting on width and supply.
For comparability, none of Newcastle’s wingers – Jacob Murphy, Harvey Barnes or Anthony Gordon – averages greater than 4.85 crosses per 90 minutes, whereas Elanga averages 6.65.
His progressive carries – how often he strikes the ball in the direction of aim – spotlight his directness and willingness to tackle defenders, which added dynamism to Forest’s assault.
Even his goals-per-shot ratio displays a sharpness in entrance of aim that’s uncommon amongst wingers.
For Newcastle, these numbers characterize all the pieces they want: tempo, effectivity, and creativity within the last third.
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Elanga, who can play huge or centrally, matches the profile of a participant who might unlock defences each at house and in Europe.