Better than Elanga: Newcastle holding talks over "generational" £84m star
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Newcastle United rode into the summer transfer window on the crest of a wave, having finished the 2024/25 campaign as Carabao Cup champions, also sealing their place back in the Champions League after finishing fifth in the Premier League.
All told, Eddie Howe will be a happy man after his side’s success, but the onus is now on improving across the next few months ahead of the fresh term, when expectations will be heightened.
Efforts have certainly been made at this early stage to go from strength to strength. As per The Telegraph, the Magpies have singled out England centre-back Marc Guehi and Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo, although the latter has reportedly chosen he wants to join Manchester United.
A right-sided forward is still at the top of the agenda, and Newcastle might just have identified the perfect man for the job.
Newcastle open talks for new right winger
No, it’s not Nottingham Forest’s Anthony Elanga, although the 23-year-old is admired by senior Newcastle officials.
Instead, the man of the moment could be West Ham United’s Mohammed Kudus, with The Athletic revealing talks have been held among senior Magpies officials to ascertain the potential of a summer signing.
Kudus has an £84m release clause in his Hammers contract and is expected to leave east London this summer.
After a difficult campaign, however, it’s thought Graham Potter’s side would be open to a more agreeable £65m fee.
Why Newcastle should sign Kudus
Kudus only scored five times in the Premier League last season, also assisting three goals, but he hit four goal contributions across his final eight appearances, and presents one of the most menacing profiles out there.
Though Elanga, Newcastle’s other top wide target, chalked up six goals and 11 assists across the league campaign, Kudus may yet hit a new level of prolific progress, which would see him soar away from the Tricky Trees star’s capacity.
Despite his struggles, the Ghana international has still maintained his ball-carrying quality across the past year, with Manchester City’s Jeremy Doku the only man to produce a greater regularity of successful dribbles.
This metric is further underscored by data-driven site FBref, who recorded that Kudus ranked among the top 6% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe’s top five leagues last season for pass completion, and the top 3% for successful take-ons per 90.
A successful take-on is recorded when a player beats their opponent by directly carrying the ball past them while retaining possession.
And you’d think that Howe could restore Kudus’ finest level. When comparing his 2023/24 campaign, under David Moyes’ wing, against Elanga’s at Forest over the past year, it becomes a little clearer that Kudus’ ceiling stretches higher.
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Mohamed Kudus vs Anthony Elanga (Prem) |
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|---|---|---|
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Stats (* per game) |
||
|
Matches (starts) |
33 (27) |
38 (31) |
|
Goals |
8 |
6 |
|
Assists |
6 |
11 |
|
Shots (on target)* |
2.0 (0.5) |
1.2 (0.6) |
|
Pass completion |
84% |
78% |
|
Big chances created |
5 |
9 |
|
Key passes* |
0.8 |
1.3 |
|
Dribbles* |
3.8 |
0.7 |
|
Ball recoveries* |
6.4 |
2.3 |
|
Tackles* |
2.0 |
0.5 |
|
Duels won* |
8.5 |
3.0 |
|
Stats via Sofascore |
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Given that Forest would be looking to bank in excess of £50m for the sale of Elanga, it might be more worthwhile to invest in a star such as Kudus, who, when at his rip-roaring best, has been regarded as a “generational talent” by those such as journalist Gary Al-Smith.
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