Anthony Elanga. (REUTERS/Matthew Childs)
Anthony Elanga was once tipped to be the next big thing at Manchester United. But at Old Trafford, he was rarely given the chance to truly shine—often restricted to short cameos off the bench or shunted out of position. In 2023, he was sold to Nottingham Forest for just £15 million.
Since then—particularly during the 2023/24 season—he’s shown exactly why United were wrong not to give him a proper run.
His goals were pivotal in keeping Forest up that season, and the following year, they became even more valuable as he helped guide them to a shock seventh-place finish in the Premier League and qualification for European competition.
Now, Elanga is on the verge of a big-money move to Newcastle United, with Eddie Howe reportedly targeting the winger as a key part of his Champions League rebuild at St. James’ Park.
It’s another bitter pill for United fans to swallow—watching Forest and Newcastle outpace them in the table while one of their former academy talents continues to thrive. But there is at least one silver lining: a financial windfall thanks to a sell-on clause.
How Much Will Manchester United Make from Elanga’s Move?
According to talkSPORT, Newcastle have agreed a deal worth up to £60 million to sign Elanga—potentially making him the second-most expensive signing in the club’s history, behind only Sandro Tonali.
Elanga is expected to sign a five-year deal on Tyneside, with a medical now the next step after Forest gave permission for the transfer to proceed. It’s understood that Nuno Espírito Santo’s side didn’t want to lose the Swedish international, but the size of the offer proved too good to turn down.
That’s where Manchester United come in.
Multiple reports claim that United inserted a sell-on clause into the deal when they let Elanga go—believed to be between 15% to 20% of the profit from any future sale.
Assuming Forest make a £45 million profit (after subtracting the original £15 million fee), that would mean United are in line to receive between £6.75 million and £9 million, depending on the final terms.
Nice money, sure—but given how things have turned out, United would probably rather turn back the clock and never have sold him in the first place.
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