Nottingham Forest are gearing up for a big second half of the summer window when it reopens for business next week.
From Monday, Premier League clubs can begin overseeing transfers again after a temporary pause in proceedings. For the Reds, the coming weeks are particularly crucial as they prepare for the 2025/26 campaign.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side will be eager to kick on again after making great progress last time around. In that sense, just as important as making new signings will be hanging on to key men.
Anthony Elanga has been in the spotlight of late amid speculation about his future. Below, NottinghamshireLive takes a look at the state of play regarding the winger.
A bit of background…
Twelve months ago, Newcastle United had the Forest ace in their sights on the back of his impressive first season at the City Ground. They tried their luck on deadline day with a last-minute attempt to prise him away, reportedly making an initial offer in the region of £35 million, but were swiftly rebuffed.
Magpies boss Eddie Howe remains an admirer of Elanga, though. The Sweden international has had another excellent campaign in the Garibaldi, weighing in with 11 assists and six goals as the Reds finished seventh in the Premier League to qualify for the UEFA Conference League. Such form appears to have reignited Newcastle’s interest in him.
Who is interested?
Last week, it emerged the Magpies had “made an enquiry” to Forest about Elanga. The Daily Mail reported talks were at an “early stage” but a swoop was nevertheless being pursued by the St James’ Park outfit.
They are not the 23-year-old’s only admirers. According to TBR Football, Arsenal have taken a “keen interest” in him, while Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and Aston Villa also have him on their radar.
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Could he be sold?
The Reds are in a relatively healthy financial position this summer. They are not under pressure to raise funds by cashing in on any of their prized assets.
Forest are well aware of the value of their star players, both in monetary terms and their influence on the pitch. They recognise the importance of Elanga, along with teammates Morgan Gibbs-White and Callum Hudson-Odoi, who have also been the subject of interest from elsewhere.
However, it would come as little surprise if the club’s resolve to retain their key men is tested. And it remains to be seen what would happen if a substantial bid does come in - although as they demonstrated with Elanga last summer, the Reds are not averse to rejecting big offers.
According to the Daily Mail, it would take more than £50m “for movement” regarding Elanga. TBR Football, meanwhile, put the Swede’s price tag at upwards of £60m.
Our sister title ChronicleLive have reported Newcastle would “need to blow Forest out of the water” with a “hefty fee”. They suggest Howe could be inclined to move on to other targets if a bidding war escalates.
Would Elanga want to go?
The wide man has always given the impression he is enjoying himself on the banks of the Trent. He has flourished in the Garibaldi following his switch from Old Trafford and is integral to the Reds’ style of play under Nuno.
Elanga addressed speculation about his future after representing his country in their 2-0 win over Hungary last week. News of Newcastle’s fresh interest had broken only a few hours earlier.
“There is a lot of talk,” the Forest star said when asked about being linked with the Magpies. “I focus on what I can do and my focus today was on the match.
“In football there are always rumours. The most important thing is that I focus on what I can control.
“I guess there will always be scouts wherever I play. As long as I stay focused and do my best in the match, I just keep my focus and what I can control. That's what I can do on and off the field. I focus on the next day and action. That's what I can do.”
With Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres missing, Elanga was deployed up front for his country. He was asked afterwards whether he expected Magpies star Isak to be in touch and try to persuade him to make the move to the north east. “He must have tried to call me about the match, that I should have scored,” the winger quipped.
