Elanga signing should not be played down at all

AMID all the frustrations of Newcastle United's summer transfer window, Antony Elanga’s £55m move from Nottingham Forest has perhaps been somewhat overlooked.

- By STUART JAMIESON

While there was plenty of positivity surrounding the big-money deal back in early July, the Alexander Isak saga and failed bids for the likes of Benjamin Sesko has taken the focus in the month that followed.

That is until Saturday afternoon at a sun-drenched St James’ Park.

The United faithful packed out the famous old stadium for the second of two preseason friendlies on home turf, and were rewarded with their first sight of Elanga in black and white.

What they saw over the first 45 minutes of the meeting with La Liga giants Atletico Madrid will have only whetted their appetites for the season ahead.