Paul Mitchell is looking to make quite the impact in his final act as Newcastle United’s sporting director and has set his sights on an Anthony Elanga alternative who’s worth just £15m.
Mitchell eyeing attacking options
Improving Eddie Howe’s frontline seems to be the priority for Newcastle this summer, with a right-winger and a striker to provide competition for Alexander Isak both on their wanted list. Just who arrives to fill that quota is the big question. Already, names such as Joao Pedro and Elanga have threatened to steal the headlines, but it remains to be seen whether Newcastle can sign both this summer.
Pedro would be a particular upgrade in Howe’s squad as Callum Wilson heads for the exit door. Replacing an ageing, injury-prone striker with a younger talent at the peak of his powers would represent incredibly impressive business by all involved at St James’ Park.
Elanga wouldn’t exactly be a disappointing option, either. The Swede played a large part in Nottingham Forest’s shock European qualification last season and is now firmly on Newcastle’s radar as they look to complete their frontline alongside Isak and Anthony Gordon.
Given how successful his move to the City Ground has been, convincing Elanga may not be as routine as convincing Pedro, who endured a mixed season at Brighton last time out.
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Newcastle are hoping to sign a forward in the transfer market this summer.
With that said, Mitchell has already reportedly turned his attention towards potential alternatives and could now land an impressive winger who scouts have already seen in action.
Newcastle now plotting Nicolas Kuhn move
According to Chronicle Live, Newcastle and Mitchell are now plotting a move to sign Nicolas Kuhn from Celtic in what could be among the sporting director’s final acts at St James’ Park and an impressive one at that.
The Celtic winger enjoyed an excellent season in Scotland last time out and was reportedly watched by Newcastle scouts as he scored a staggering 21 goals and created a further 15 in all competitions. Valued at just £15m by the Bhoys, those in Tyneside seemingly have the chance to land the ultimate bargain this summer.
|
League stats 24/25 (via FBref) |
Nicolas Kuhn |
Antony Elanga |
|---|---|---|
|
Starts |
24 |
31 |
|
Goals |
13 |
6 |
|
Assists |
9 |
11 |
22 of Kuhn’s 36 goal involvements came in the Scottish Premiership, whilst Elanga struggled to match those numbers in the Premier League with six goals and 11 assists. Unlike the Celtic star, however, the Forest man is set to cost a fair bit more than £15m this summer.
Kuhn’s form has unsurprisingly come with plenty of praise from Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers, who told reporters last season: “He just landed in the middle of that difficult time, and it took him a little while. But he’s had a really good pre-season.
“He’s always been quick, one of the quickest players you’ll see, but I think now there’s more variety in his game, coming inside and out. The big thing I told him when he arrived was that he needs to score goals. As a winger, you need to create and score, that’s your job.”
