Soccer Football - FIFA Club World Cup - Group F - Fluminense v Borussia Dortmund - MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, U.S. - June 17, 2025 Borussia Dortmund's Karim Adeyemi in action IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Mark Smith
Newcastle have finally started their summer recruitment drive, with confirmation of a first offer made for a right winger.
Transfer expert David Ornstein took to the social media platform X yesterday afternoon to confirm that the Magpies had made a bid for Nottingham Forest star Anthony Elanga.
The Athletic journalist revealed:
“EXCL: Newcastle make offer to sign Anthony Elanga from Nottingham Forest. Bid in region of £45m. #NFFC rejected without counter; no intention of selling Sweden int’l. #NUFC considering whether to maintain pursuit or focus on other targets.”
It is no secret that Newcastle are keen to add a right winger to their attacking threat ahead of their Champions League campaign, and Elanga is a player they have had a long term interest in.
Despite being particularly keen on the Forest attacker, the club will not want to put all their eggs in one basket and they have already identified potential alternatives according to reports.
Following the Ornstein bombshell, Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie quickly gave further details about Newcastle’s other transfer targets.
Downie claimed on X:
“Newcastle are exploring other options after Nottingham Forest rejected their £45m bid for Anthony Elanga.”
“They haven’t given up hope of signing Elanga, and considering whether to make a second bid, but have a number of targets they are looking at.”
“These include Johan Bakayoko at PSV, Dortmund’s Karim Adeyemi and Mohammed Kudus of West Ham.”
How much will Karim Adeyemi cost?
Having secured a second spell in the Champions League under Eddie Howe, Newcastle will undoubtedly be keen to bring in players who can add valuable European experience to the dressing room.
Adeyemi – once hailed as “the counter-attacking weapon” by football talent scout Jacek Kulig – brings extensive experience in elite European competition, with 39 appearances, 13 goals and four assists to his name, including a final against Real Madrid in 2024.
The 23-year-old perfectly matches the type of player Newcastle are targeting, combining elite-level experience with youth and offering impressive versatility with the ability to play across the front three.
Over 104 appearances for Dortmund so far, the Germany international has scored 26 goals and registered 17 assists, producing a goal contribution every 134 minutes, which is a consistent output that would be warmly received on Tyneside.
It was reported in late 2024 that Borussia Dortmund would be interested in offers worth €50m (£42m), but it remains unclear how much the German club would require this summer to part ways with their talented attacker.
Adeyemi is currently competing at the Club World Cup in America, so any potential negotiations and deal would likely not occur until mid-July if Dortmund makes it to the final of the tournament.
With all considered, it will be interesting to see which direction Newcastle head in after the Elanga rejection, but with Adeyemi in their sights, there is a clear ambition to sign top talent in the attacking threat.
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