It feels like the start of the new football financial year – 1st July – has been the catalyst for Newcastle United to finally make some big moves in the transfer market.
After missing out on the likes of Liam Delap, Dean Huijsen and Joao Pedro, we look to be edging ever closer to announcing two major signings.
It’s been a long time coming in our pursuits of both James Trafford and Anthony Elanga, but it appears genuine progress is being made; not just on deals with their respective clubs, but personal terms…
Double boost on two top targets?
Having seen a breakthrough in negotiations on Thursday night, it’s looking like we’ll have no issues agreeing personal terms with Anthony Elanga.
David Ornstein had reported that there was still some work to do on the player’s side last night, but Fabrizio Romano has followed that up by claiming Newcastle are ‘close’ to agreeing personal terms with the 23-year-old.
He also reports that Newcastle are ‘optimistic’ they’ll get the ‘final green light’ from Nottingham Forest following an improved bid worth £55m, with Toon chiefs now pushing to wrap up a deal ‘as soon as possible.’
It’s a welcome follow up to another Romano report which claims Burnley’s James Trafford has ‘fully agreed’ personal terms with the club, with talks between Newcastle and Burnley ‘advancing.’
Trafford has openly spoken about his desire to join Newcastle after almost arriving last summer, and it seems that wish is close to becoming a reality as we push to bring in the England stopper alongside Elanga.
🚨⚪️⚫️ More on Newcastle and Anthony Elanga exclusive story.
Club optimistic to get final green light from Nottingham Forest after £55m bid revealed tonight.
Personal terms also close to being agreed as #NUFC want to get it done as soon as possible. pic.twitter.com/7vUnswREFf
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 3, 2025
The fact personal terms are not a problem is a positive signs that both are keen to join, with those enthusiastic about the project and chance to play under Eddie Howe welcome on Tyneside after recent targets opted for London (Pedro and Delap) or lucrative wages (Mbeumo) instead.
Long awaited signs of activity
To see so many of our ‘top targets’ not only revealed by the media, but join our domestic rivals instead must have been a tough pill to swallow for Eddie Howe and the recruitment team.
But with two young talents keen to make the move to the North East after long-term interest, it feels like we are finally close to landing two key targets able to improve us massively at both ends of the pitch.
Yes, the pair of Trafford and Elanga may cost us north of £80m to bring in, but it would see us strengthen two key areas ahead of pre-season, allowing us to turn our attention to a centre-back and versatile forward after moving on from Marc Guehi and Joao Pedro.
We’ll rightly go for a CB and forward, but I think the last piece of the jigsaw is an attacking midfielder to alternate with Joelinton. Joelinton’s presence and tackling gives us good control against big teams but we need depth, and more attacking thrust against low blocks. Someone who can play there AND up front like Havertz would be valuable. Simons obviously too.
Alex(Quote)
100% agree we need a rotation/backup for Joelinton, but I think we need a player that has that same physical presence. We really miss that when he’s not in the team, I think he genuinely intimidates opponents with his strength and style of play, and it stops them playing their game so effectively. Problem is, there’s not many players who can bring that physicality and aggression alongside the technical ability that makes Big Joe so effective in possession as well as out of it.
Ian(Quote)
It’s surprising that folks are surprised there were no June signings .. toon didn’t have money until 1 July. So no not a catalyst just reality
GR(Quote)