Nottingham Forest star Anthony Elanga remains a target for Newcastle United this summer, with Eddie Howe a huge fan of the player.

Newcastle have already made an attempt to sign Elanga, but the Forest owner, Evangelos Marinakis, will drive a hard bargain when it comes to selling better players in the squad.

Elanga has been a brilliant Forest signing since checking in at the City Ground for £15 million from Manchester United, helping the team qualify for European football last season.

Newcastle have clearly been told to up the ante in their quest to sign Elanga before the season gets underway, and now it’s come to light that Howe might offer one of his current wingers to try and smooth through a deal.

Newcastle to offer Harvey Barnes to Nottingham Forest

According to Darren Witcoop, who writes for Team Talk, Newcastle are now ready to increase their offer by suggesting a cash sum plus Barnes in return for the services of Elanga.

Barnes earns £120,000-a-week at Newcastle, but if Elanga signs for the club, his chances of regular first-team football will be significantly decreased, even with European football on offer next season.

The 27-year-old is five years older than Elanga but did manage to score nine goals and claim five assists for Newcastle during 2024/25 from 40 appearances in all competitions.

In 2021, Micah Richards hailed Barnes for his efforts whilst playing for Leicester, calling him ‘incredible’ and backing him to make the England squad for the European Championships.

Forest should still ask for significant cash plus Barnes for Elanga

Barnes and Elanga are different types of forwards, and although Barnes would likely slot in at Forest, Elanga’s blistering pace should still lead to the Reds asking for a significant cash payment.

Elanga has been brilliant for Forest, and it would be heartbreaking to lose him for the new season. Barnes would also be a very useful addition to the Forest ranks, but it shouldn’t see Marinakis lower his valuation too much.

Barnes is closer to his peak than Elanga is, and unless the player is kicking and screaming to go to Newcastle, which he’s unlikely to be doing, Forest would be wise to keep pushing the hard bargain.

The race for Newcastle to sign Elanga could go right to the wire this summer and as a result, Forest have to prepare for every eventuality and that includes finding a quality player to replace him in the team.