Journalist now says Newcastle United retain strong interest in 'fastest player in Premier League' after £50m bid was rejected

There will be a few positions that Newcastle United will need to recruit for in the summer and it's not going to be cheap to get the desired quality of player.

Newcastle could strike it lucky and bring in Jonathan David on a free transfer when the Canadian striker leaves Lyon at the end of the season, but the competition for his signature will be insane, so we're not holding our breath for that one. However, signing someone of that level on a free would free up a lot more funds to cover the other positions.

The most important position to strengthen in the off-season will be right-wing, as Jacob Murphy is now our only recognised right-sided forward following the sale of Miguel Almiron.

It's a position that has lacked depth and quality for a while at Newcastle, and now the situation has become very desperate.

Getty Images

Ben Jacobs says Newcastle retain an interest in Anthony Elanga

The Magpies are being linked with plenty of players to fill that void with reports this morning claiming that Newcastle will launch a bid for PSV's Johan Bakayoko.

Now Ben Jacobs has told the Market Madness podcast that he believes Nottingham Forest's Anthony Elanga remains of interest to Eddie Howe.

“Absolutely [Newcastle will sign a right winger]. Put your mortgage on it. They've got to replace Miguel Almiron. Amongst others, they still like Nottingham Forest's Anthony Elanga.”

Nottingham Forest's form this season could see them hanging on to Anthony Elanga

Newcastle had a summer deadline day bid of £50 million rejected by Nottingham Forest last year but have retained an interest in the man dubbed 'the fastest player in the Premier League' - we're sure he and Anthony Gordon would be putting that title to the test should the two end up on the training pitch.

Elanga has three goals and eight assists this season playing for high-flying Forest, and should they continue their form for the rest of the season and qualify for the Champions League, it may become even harder for Newcastle to persuade Forest to part with the Sweden international.

If today's report around Bakayoko is true and the 21-year-old is available for £33 million, then we say save the money and go for him. He's younger and has the potential to be way better than Elanga.