Newcastle United are waiting for Champions League football next season, and the fifth-place Premier League finish in 2024/25 proved a big deal in their efforts to bring St. James Park to the forefront of domestic and European football.
From a financial and sporting standpoint, United are in a great position, signing a huge profile target while keeping their treasured assets on the Tyneside.
The Times reports that PIF is willing to make Alexander Isaac the highest paying player in Newcastle history to dodge interest from suitors like Arsenal, Liverpool and Barcelona, and if they succeed, Eddie Howe can turn greater security towards the wider Franks.
Elanga Alternative’s Newcastle Open Talk
Nottingham Forest’s Anthony Elanga may be the story of Toon after the £45 million offer was rejected earlier this week, but it has actually been reported that the magpie has established contact with an exciting alternative.
According to TeamTalk, Newcastle is in touch with representatives of Malick Fofana as they are trying to cover themselves if they fail to sign Elanga.
The talented Belgian winger is scheduled to leave Lyon this summer after his team was demoted to League 2 due to financial difficulties, with many suitors appearing, including Chelsea and Liverpool.
Although the Fofana is valued at around 50 million euros (£43 million), Lyon’s dangerous location could help Newcastle’s advantages in building cheaper packages.
Why Newcastle should sign Marick Fofana
With only 20, Fofana has already proven potential in major stages and has become a key player for Lyon after joining the company from KAA Gent in January 2024.
His return with 11 goals and six assists in the 2024/25 campaign certainly highlights his potential as a high-level winger, especially as he notched nine goal contributions from just 16 starts in the league. Additionally, Fofana played a major role during Lyon’s Europa League campaign, scoring six goals.
Mostly on the left, Fofana scored twice from two matches as a right winger and remained in one assist. Given his pace and the efficacy of such a fledgling, this suggests that he can prove to be an even better signature than Elanga.
League Statistics 24/25 – Malic Fofana vs Anthony Elanga | ||
|---|---|---|
Statistics (*per game) | head | Field |
Match (start) | 29 (16) | 38 (31) |
the goal | 5 | 6 |
assist | 4 | 11 |
Shot (target)* | 1.1 (0.5) | 1.2 (0.6) |
I missed a big opportunity | 4 | 6 |
Pass completed | 84% | 78% |
A big opportunity has been created | 6 | 9 |
Key Pass* | 0.9 | 1.3 |
dribble* | 0.8 | 0.7 |
Tackle* | 1.1 | 0.5 |
The duel won* | 2.9 | 3.0 |
Statistics via Sofascore | ||
Neither player is likely maximizing their potential across ball carry and creative metrics. Elanga, for example, named himself “one of the fastest players in the Premier League,” while Fofana ranked in the top 2% of European top five league position peers last season, and ranked in the top five leagues of progressive carry around 90 according to FBREF.
Carries are considered progressive if the ball moves from the starting point towards the opponent’s goal at least 10 yards or more, or is carried into the penalty area.
He also ranked in the top 10% of non-penalty goals scored per 90, highlighting his innate scoring ability backed up by a steady stream of creativity.
The 23-year-old Elanga is probably a more refined man, but the ceiling of Fofana is extended higher, and he already demonstrates that the fleet has a leggy nature.
This winger on both sides can prove the amazing rounded acquisition that the Newcastle side is already complete and needs even more depth.
Already known to be a “game changer” by journalist Antonio Mango, Fofana is a real deal, and now that Lyon has been kicked out of France’s top division, Hau will want to make such a deal quickly, with interest in his services.
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