Manchester United academy graduate in 'advanced talks' with Newcastle United as swap deal mooted

Newcastle United are reportedly in advanced talks with Manchester United academy graduate Anthony Elanga as they attempt to convince the 22-year-old to move to St James’ Park.

The Sweden international joined the Red Devils at the age of 12 back in 2014. He came through all levels at Old Trafford and made his senior debut for the club in May 2021 against Leicester City and scored his first senior goal a week later after starting against Wolves.

However, he moved on from the Red Devils last summer as he joined Nottingham Forest on a five-year deal for a reported fee around £15m. His first goal for the City Ground club came in a 1-0 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

TalkSPORT reports Elanga could now be on his way to the Red Devils’ rivals Newcastle with Elliot Anderson set to head in the opposite direction as both clubs battle Profit and Sustainability regulations. Forest were docked four points last season for breaching the financial rules, but they remained in the Premier League as Luton Town, Burnley and Sheffield United were all relegated.

Upon leaving Old Trafford, Elanga penned an emotional message to fans, writing on social media last year: "Making my debut, playing over 50 times for the first team, scoring in the Champions League and winning a trophy for this incredible club…. If you told me that all of that would happen when I arrived in England at 11 years old I would have been buzzing.

"There are so many players and staff that have played a major role in helping to make those dreams become a reality and supported me into developing into the man that I am today. I will be forever grateful to each and every one of you. From the moment that I watched a game from the Stretford End as a young boy I’ve known that United fans are special.”

Clubs have until June 30 to have their accounts in compliance with Profit and Sustainability, representing a mini-deadline day for deals to get over the line. Anthony Gordon, Alexander Isak and Bruno Guimarães have all been linked with moves away from the Magpies as they seek to offload a big signing to get in compliance.

It was reported on Saturday that Gordon had been offered to Liverpool but only if the Reds allowed centre-back Jarell Quansah to head in the opposite direction. Speaking about operating in the transfer window under the current PSR and Financial Fair Play rules, Newcastle boss Eddie Howe said in January: “Every Premier League club will sell players. Man City have sold some very good players. Their income is the highest of any club. That is the landscape for everyone. We reluctantly sold Allan Saint Maximin in the summer.

“I'm not sure we have many friends in the market. I'm not sure there's many clubs out there that are willing to help us currently. To agree to a loan deal, you need the club to agree to that deal so we're in that moment.”