Anthony Elanga is part of an audacious triple transfer swoop Newcastle United are waging on their Premier League rivals.
That’s according to The Telegraph, who claim Eddie Howe has made bids for the Reds winger, Brighton’s Joao Pedro and Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford - and that ‘things could shift dramatically in the coming days’.
The report even says all three players are interested in moving to St James Park and being part of the club’s Premier and Champions League campaigns. It adds that wage demands for any of the trio ‘will not be an issue’.
The Telegraph say that at present there is a gap between what the Magpies have offered and what Forest and their rivals see as fair valuations, and even refers to ‘resistance’ at all three clubs. Newcastle have offered £45m for Elanga and could be willing to go up to £50m.
Get breaking Forest news sent direct to your phone
Join our Nottingham Forest WhatsApp group and get the latest breaking news, interviews and opinion sent straight to your phone, plus matchday team news and live updates of all the action. Just click here and select ‘Join Community’ to get started. The only proviso is that you must have WhatsApp on your phone to participate. No one will be able to see your personal information and you will only receive messages from the NottinghamshireLive Reds writers.
We will not spam your WhatsApp feed with constant messages, but you will receive updates from us daily with the latest Reds stories. If you later decide to opt out, just go to the name at the top of your screen and click 'Exit Group'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. If you are curious, you can click here to read our Privacy Notice.
It is claimed Newcastle want to get at least two players in before they reconvene for pre-season training on July 7, and while negotiations are ongoing they could drop their interest in Elanga if they make progress with Pedro – and vice versa.
It is worth noting that Forest have always said Elanga is not for sale, but Newcastle ‘have not given up’.
Indeed Forest are said to have 'no intention' of letting Elanga go after rejecting a bid for the winger.
The Reds are said to value Elanga in the region of £60m. He is under contract until 2028 and has been a key player in the Garibaldi since his arrival from Manchester United two years ago.
Newcastle tried to snap up the 23-year-old last summer and made a last-ditch play for him on deadline day.
They put forward a cash-plus-player £45m package made up of an initial £30m payment, two further £5m payments and Miguel Almiron, according to The Athletic.
Elanga has already addressed the speculation about his future. Speaking after representing his country against Hungary, he recently told the Swedish media: “There is a lot of talk. 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.”
Would you sell Elanga at any price? Have your say here