Newcastle have made an enquiry to Nottingham Forest over a deal for Anthony Elanga.
Mail Sport can reveal that, while discussions are at an early stage, the Magpies are now pursuing a move for the 23-year-old winger.
Sources say Forest would demand a sizeable fee for the Sweden international – who has three years to run on his contract – if he indicated he wanted to go.
But the move marks Newcastle’s first major play of the transfer window, with Elanga being a long-term target.
Eddie Howe is a big admirer of the former Manchester United star and there was a deadline-day attempt to sign him during last summer’s transfer window. That offer opened at £35million and, while it went higher, a deal was never close. It would take upwards of £50m for movement this time.
Elanga, who scored six times last season, operates from the right wing – a priority position for Newcastle – but he is also versatile across the forward line, another key criteria for Howe.
