- Newcastle had £45m bid rejected for Nottingham Forest winger Anthony Elanga
- Eddie Howe could move on to other targets as he aims to reinforce attack
- LISTEN to Whistleblowers: Are Arsenal fans right to feel aggrieved by the fixtures?
Newcastle have ‘three players being considered as alternatives’ to Anthony Elanga, after the club had a £45million bid rejected for the Nottingham Forest winger.
Mail Sport understands Forest received the offer in the morning but rejected it quickly and have no intention of selling the Sweden international.
Newcastle are weighing up whether to submit another bid for Elanga or pursue other targets.
Mail Sport exclusively revealed that the Magpies enquired about him earlier this month, having had an approach snubbed last summer.
Forest value Elanga at £60m and it would be a surprise if Newcastle were to meet the asking price.
But if the club decide not to increase their offer to Forest for Elanga, there are a trio of other attacking stars on the club’s radar, according to the Mirror.
Johan Bakayoko of PSV, Borussia Dortmund’s Karim Adeyemi is another and West Ham star Mohammad Kudus is the third, says the report.
Bakayoko, a Belgian right-winger, is just 21 but has established himself as a star in the Netherlands. He scored 12 goals for the club last season, backing up his previous campaign of 14 in all competitions and is ready to make the next step in his career.
Adeyemi, one of the fastest players in Germany, has done it in the Bundesliga and Champions League for Dortmund and is regarded as one of the most exciting players on the continent.
The 23-year-old can play as a forward or out wide, netting 12 times last term and averaging a goal every two games in the Champions League.
Kudus is more of a known quantity and West Ham would be willing to sell, though his release clause of £85million could put buyers off.
His return of five goals and three assists in the Premier League last season for a poor Hammers side may also deter potential suitors.
As it stands, Howe is looking for more competition for Jacob Murphy and Harvey Barnes on the right side, especially with Newcastle fighting on all fronts.
The Magpies opened talks for Burnley’s £40m-rated goalkeeper James Trafford earlier this month and Howe ideally would like signings in the door by the time pre-season begins.
