Yahoo News Nottingham Forest deliver second transfer blow to Premier League rivals amid 'too expensive' verdict
Newcastle United could find their interest thwarted in not one but two Nottingham Forest stars as the summer transfer activity ramps up.
Talks are said to have taken place between the Reds and the Magpies over a potential swap deal for Anthony Elanga, with Yankuba Minteh and Elliot Anderson mooted as possible options to head in the opposite direction. But it seems Forest are firmly in the driving seat when it comes to any discussions.
The expected sales of Orel Mangala and Moussa Niakhate to Lyon should provide the Reds with a timely boost to balance the books. The accounting deadline for compliance with Premier League Profitability and Sustainability Rules is on Sunday (June 30), and it is said Forest expect to avoid a breach - pending the duo making the switch to France.
READ MORE: Huge Anthony Elanga transfer update emerges amid Forest swap 'talks'
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It means they do not need to move on Elanga, and indeed are keen to hang on to him. Newcastle, by contrast, are said to need to raise funds before the end of the month to keep within PSR.
According to HITC, in addition to Elanga, they also enquired about the availability of long-term target Morgan Gibbs-White. However, the attacker was “too expensive” for the Magpies.
Gibbs-White is not short of admirers after two impressive seasons at the City Ground. Tottenham Hotspur are among the clubs previously credited with an interest in him.
Forest value him highly, though. The former Wolverhampton Wanderers man and centre-back Murillo are the club’s two prize assets and each worth in the region of £60-70 million.
Speaking after the final game of last season, head coach Nuno Espirito Santo admitted it was inevitable there would be interest in some of his top players this summer. The Portuguese also expressed his frustration that clubs were being forced to sell some of their best talent in order to keep within the rules. It came after the Reds were docked four points last term for a PSR breach.
