Interest is growing in Anthony Elanga as Nottingham Forest’s efforts to hang on to the winger face coming under renewed threat.
Newcastle United have not given up hope of prising the Sweden international away from the City Ground. But they are now not the only club keen on securing his services.
The Reds have already batted away a £45 million offer from the Magpies for Elanga. A new bid of more than £50m is said to have now been put forward, although that is still less than Forest’s £60m valuation.
According to talkSPORT, Aston Villa are now in the mix for the Reds star. The West Midlands outfit are said to have become the latest club ‘to check on’ the 23-year-old’s situation.
And it is not only Villa who are keen. TBR Football have included Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur in the race for Elanga’s signature.
It is claimed Elanga’s camp have ‘had contact with’ other clubs, aside from Newcastle. The Gunners and Chelsea ‘appreciate’ the 23-year-old while Spurs have him on their ‘radar’.
So far, the Magpies are the only team to show their hand in the form of making offers. Forest have no desire to let one of their prized assets go and it would take a significant fee for them to even consider selling.
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Reds head coach Nuno Espirito Santo emphasised the importance of keeping the core of his squad together 12 months ago. Forest went on to reject a deadline day approach from the Magpies for Elanga, and their stance has not wavered in the intervening months.
Elanga was a key player in the Garibaldi last term as European football was secured. He finished the campaign with a tally of six goals and 11 assists in the Premier League.
The former Manchester United man’s raw pace makes him a perfect fit for Nuno’s style of play at the City Ground. The Reds are well aware of his importance as they prepare to compete in Europe next term for the first time in three decades.
The last thing Forest need is for this particular saga to drag on. It is why Nuno would prefer the transfer window to close before the season begins.
Last time around, Elanga’s form suffered amid the speculation about his future. The Reds will be eager to avoid a repeat scenario as they aim to kick on from their seventh-placed finish.
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