Newcastle United made a significant move in the summer transfer window by acquiring Anthony Elanga for £55 million from Nottingham Forest. However, he was not their primary target. Initially, Bryan Mbeumo was at the top of Newcastle’s wishlist, but he ultimately joined Manchester United. Financial constraints prevented Newcastle from securing the transfer.
After missing out on Mbeumo, the Newcastle recruitment team shifted their focus. With Elanga’s recent performance against Everton indicating a possible turnaround, the club is optimistic about his future impact. Other notable players considered included Antoine Semenyo and Mohammed Kudus, the latter joining Tottenham Hotspur for £55 million from West Ham. Kudus has already made an impressive impact despite Tottenham’s struggles this season.
Warren Barton’s Insights on Newcastle’s Transfer Strategy
Former Newcastle defender Warren Barton shared his thoughts on the club’s summer transfer activities during an appearance on the NUFC360 YouTube channel. He expressed his belief that Newcastle would have pursued Mohammed Kudus. Barton remarked, “I thought he would maybe be a player that we would go for, but obviously he’s gone to Tottenham.” He noted that Kudus has outperformed Elanga so far this season.
Player Stats Comparison
| Player | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anthony Elanga | 20 | 0 | 1 |
| Mohammed Kudus | 18 | 2 | 5 |
With the January transfer window approaching, Newcastle’s primary needs have been identified as a center-midfielder and a full-back. They have expressed interest in signing Kees Smit from AZ Alkmaar. Despite these priorities, Barton believes Newcastle doesn’t necessarily need to rush into the transfer market.
“I’m not desperate to go into the market,” Barton stated. He emphasized that the current midfield trio is strong when fit and compared the situation to previous transfers where the club waited for the right player, like Sven Botman. As the transfer window looms, fans are encouraged to share their opinions on potential signings for the upcoming window.
