Bruno Guimaraes responds to Anthony Elanga’s message after what he did vs Arsenal
Anthony Elanga needed just six minutes to open his Newcastle United account amid concerns about their attack next season.
Newcastle‘s transfer window hasn’t gone to plan so far this summer with Eddie Howe seeing several top targets slip through his fingers, with James Trafford the latest player Newcastle look set to miss out on.
Further forward, Newcastle have seen a £25million bid for Brentford striker Yoane Wissa rejected and have also been told that a move for Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins could cost up to £100m in overall fees.
Elanga’s £55m move from Nottingham Forest is the Magpies’ only first-team signing so far and was seen as the final piece of Howe’s attacking jigsaw, but that plan has been thrown into chaos by Alexander Isak.
Isak’s absence from Newcastle’s pre-season tour has rocked the dressing room as he pushes for a move to Liverpool, and his potential exit would make a disappointing transfer window go from bad to worse.
Elanga nets Newcastle opener in friendly defeat v Arsenal
After Callum Wilson’s departure at the end of his contract and Isak’s absence from the Magpies’ pre-season tour of the Far East, William Osula started up front for Newcastle’s first friendly against Arsenal.
Osula failed to get on the scoresheet, but Elanga took just six minutes to make his mark from the right flank with a goal from Sandro Tonali‘s cutback, putting Newcastle in front before going off at half-time.
Elanga posted pictures of his celebrations on Instagram (27 July) after Arsenal came back to take a 2-1 lead into the break and eventually won 3-2, and Bruno Guimaraes commented to call the Swede; “My guy”.
Elanga and Newcastle face nervous wait in transfer window
Football Insider Verdict
Elanga’s reasons for joining Newcastle have left Nottingham Forest fans infuriated with Elliot Anderson, but Howe has faced a difficult challenge to convince other targets to make the move to St. James’ Park.
Isak’s seemingly inevitable exit has raised questions over Newcastle’s attractiveness to the world’s best players despite their huge cash reserves, as player after player turns down a move to the North East.
Wissa’s desire to leave Brentford for Newcastle is a welcome change in this regard, but it remains to be seen if they’ll be able to get a deal over the line amid the ongoing impasse with Isak and the potential of a record-breaking move to Liverpool.