Newcastle United await Champions League football next season, with the fifth-place Premier League finish in 2024/25 proving huge in the efforts to drive St. James’ Park to the forefront of domestic and European football.
Financially and from a sporting standpoint too, United are in a fantastic position, positioned to sign high-profile targets while keeping their prized assets on Tyneside.
The Times have reported that PIF are willing to make Alexander Isak the highest-paid player in Newcastle’s history to fend off interest from suitors like Arsenal, Liverpool and Barcelona, and if they succeed, Eddie Howe can turn with greater security toward the wide flanks.
Newcastle open talks for Elanga alternative
While Nottingham Forest’s Anthony Elanga might be the talk of the Toon right now after a £45m offer was rejected earlier this week, the Magpies have actually been reported to have established contacts with an exciting alternative.
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As per TEAMtalk, Newcastle have been in contact with the representatives of Malick Fofana as they look to cover themselves if unsuccessful in their bid to sign Elanga.
The talented Belgian winger is set to leave Lyon this summer after his side’s relegation to Ligue 2 due to financial difficulties, and a host of suitors, including Chelsea and Liverpool, have emerged.
Fofana is valued at around €50m (£43m), although Lyon’s imperilled position may work to Newcastle’s advantage in building a cheaper package.
Why Newcastle should sign Malick Fofana
While only 20, Fofana has already proved his potential on the major stage, becoming an important player for Lyon – who finished sixth in Ligue 1 last year – after joining from KAA Gent in January 2024.
His return of 11 goals and six assists across the 2024/25 campaign certainly underscores his potential as a high-level winger, especially as he notched nine goal contributions from only 16 starts in the league. Moreover, Fofana played a big role during Lyon’s Europa League campaign, scoring six goals.
Principally left-sided, Fofana scored twice from just two matches as a right winger, also laying on one assist. Given his pace and such fledgling potency, this suggests he could prove an even better signing than Elanga, especially since Forest are looking for something in the region of £60m for the Sweden international.
Matches (starts)
29 (16)
38 (31)
Goals
5
6
Assists
4
11
Shots (on target)*
1.1 (0.5)
1.2 (0.6)
Big chances missed
4
6
Pass completion
84%
78%
Big chances created
6
9
Key passes*
0.9
1.3
Dribbles*
0.8
0.7
Tackles*
1.1
0.5
Duels won*
2.9
3.0
Neither player has perhaps maximised their potential across ball-carrying and creative metrics. Elanga, for example, has named himself “one of the fastest players in the Premier League”, while Fofana ranked among the top 2% of positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues last season for progressive carries per 90, as per FBref.
A carry is considered progressive if the ball is moved towards the opponent’s goal at least 10 yards from its starting point or is carried into the penalty area.
He also ranked among the top 10% for non-penalty goals scored per 90, emphasising an innate scoring ability that is backed up by a steady stream of creativity.
Elanga, 23, is probably the more polished man, but Fofana’s ceiling stretches higher, and he’s already demonstrated that he has a fleet-footed nature to match.
This two-sided winger could prove a stunning acquisition for a Newcastle side already complete and rounded, just in need of some more depth.
Already noted to be a “game-changer” by journalist Antonio Mango, Fofana is the real deal, and with interest in his services swelling now that Lyon have been relegated from France’s top division, Howe will want to get such a deal done promptly.
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