🚨 Newcastle United plot Plan B: Bakayoko & Adeyemi eyed if Elanga deal collapses**
Newcastle United’s summer ambitions have taken an unexpected twist after their opening £45 million bid for Nottingham Forest winger **Anthony Elanga** was rebuffed — with Forest reportedly annoyed and holding out for around £60 million ([talksport.com][1]). While the Magpies remain hopeful of rekindling talks, their attention has definitively shifted towards high-quality replacements if Elanga remains unavailable.
According to Sky Sports and the *Guardian*, Newcastle are now probing two exciting targets: **Johan Bakayoko** from PSV Eindhoven and **Karim Adeyemi** of Borussia Dortmund ([tribuna.com][2], [theguardian.com][3]).
—
**1. Johan Bakayoko (PSV)**
The 22‑year‑old Belgian winger impressed last season with 12 goals and three assists in 46 appearances ([tribuna.com][2]). With just one year remaining on his PSV contract — and a price tag potentially between €30–50 million — Bakayoko offers raw flair, dribbling prowess, and value appeal ([reddit.com][4]). Newcastle’s recruitment team reportedly held “very positive” negotiations in December, though PSV initially resisted a departure until summer ([footballtransfers.com][5]).
—
**2. Karim Adeyemi (Dortmund)**
A German international and Bundesliga standout, Adeyemi notched 12 goals and nine assists across all competitions in 2024–25 ([sportsmole.co.uk][6]). Although Dortmund’s hold on him is firm — the player even seems open to extending his contract — Newcastle see him as the perfect dynamic, vice-like wide forward . Plucking him from Westfalen would be a challenge, but the payoff could be substantial.
—
**Why these alternatives?**
Eddie Howe identified the right flank as a key weakness following Miguel Almiron’s departure — Jacob Murphy alone wasn’t enough ([insidefutbol.com][7]). With Champions League football returning to St James’ Park, Newcastle might pivot from Elanga after Forest’s hardline stance and invest alternative funds into top-tier European talent.
—
**What’s next?**
Newcastle could return with an improved bid for Elanga — but with Forest asking for more than £60 million, that seems unlikely ([newcastleworld.com][8], [teamtalk.com][9]). Instead, they appear primed to sharpen their pursuit of Bakayoko and Adeyemi, or even consider other options like Mohammed Kudus ✔ ([thesun.co.uk][10]).
In short, Newcastle have clear Plan B candidates who bring flair, youth, and upside — ready to step into the void if Elanga remains beyond reach.
