NafisaNewcastle’s pursuit of Nottingham Forest’s top talents could intensify this summer, as they prepare to challenge Evangelos Marinakis’ resolve in the transfer market.
Nuno Espírito Santo’s side has been one of the season’s biggest surprises, currently sitting third in the Premier League. As a result, several Forest stars have caught the attention of clubs both in England and across Europe.
Despite recently signing a new contract, Murillo remains a prime target for many of Europe’s top clubs. Marinakis is expected to demand a record-breaking fee for the Brazilian defender, which could deter interest—but with his performances standing out, offers for the center-back seem inevitable.
Elliot Anderson is another player who has been linked with a move away, even though he only joined Forest last summer. Liverpool have been monitoring the English midfielder, though a transfer appears unlikely given his short stint at the City Ground. However, a bigger challenge for Forest could be holding onto Anthony Elanga, who has long-standing admirers in the Premier League.
Newcastle have previously made attempts to sign Elanga, but according to recent reports, they may now be turning their attention to another Forest star.
Newcastle Target Morgan Gibbs-White
The connections between Forest and Newcastle continue to grow, with players like Anderson, Chris Wood, and Matz Sels having all played at St James’ Park before moving to Forest. Now, Newcastle’s interest could shift in the opposite direction, with Morgan Gibbs-White reportedly on their radar.
As reported by The Telegraph, Newcastle are: “planning a bold summer of recruitment, mixing young, up-and-coming stars with more established players with experience of playing in the Premier League.”
While no definitive targets have been confirmed, Gibbs-White has been mentioned as a potential addition to Eddie Howe’s squad. Given Newcastle’s long-standing pursuit of Elanga, some Forest supporters may find this link unexpected.
With five goals and five assists this season, Gibbs-White fits Newcastle’s recruitment profile, especially considering his experience of over 100 Premier League appearances and his consistent improvement. As he edges closer to a potential England call-up, speculation over his future is bound to increase.
However, the report also hints that Newcastle’s long-standing interest in Elanga might be cooling.
Have Newcastle Moved on from Anthony Elanga?
In addition to Gibbs-White, The Telegraph lists several other Newcastle targets, including: “PSV Eindhoven winger Johan Bakayoko, Bournemouth pair Antoine Semenyo and Dean Huijsen, […] Lille’s Jonathan David, Celtic’s Nicolas Kuhn and Southampton’s Tyler Dibling.”
Notably, Bakayoko, Semenyo, Kuhn, and Dibling are all wingers, suggesting that Newcastle could be shifting their focus away from Elanga.
Forest had previously attempted to sign Bakayoko, but the deal never materialized. If Newcastle successfully secure the PSV star, it would likely solidify Elanga’s place at the City Ground, where he continues to grow into a key attacking player.
Following his standout performance against Brighton, in which he provided three assists, Stuart Pearce praised Elanga for his increasing efficiency in the final third.
While Newcastle’s interest in Gibbs-White may cause some concern, Eddie Howe’s greater need for a winger could work in Forest’s favor. If that remains the priority, Forest fans may have reason to be hopeful that both Gibbs-White and Elanga will remain at the club.
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