In a Friday night exclusive for The Mail, Craig Hope revealed that Newcastle United have reignited their interest in Anthony Elanga.
The club made a deadline day bid for the 23-year-old last August, and it’s believed we’re [back in discussions](https://www.nufcblog.co.uk/2025/06/06/newcastle-open-talks-to-sign-50m-winger-in-first-major-move-of-the-summer-report/) with Nottingham Forest over a potential deal.
It’s thought at least £50m may be needed to land the Swedish international, who is clearly a long-term target given our attempts to sign the wide man just a matter of months ago.
But what has the player himself had to say on a potential move?
After a deadline day bid was rejected by Forest, Elanga stayed at the City Ground and went on to have a superb season, bagging six goals and 11 assists in the league.
But the Swedish media did ask him about a potential move to St James’ Park a few weeks after our bids last August, where he commented on his relationship with international teammate Alexander Isak and the links to Newcastle.
Speaking in September 2024, Elanga said: “Isak talked to me about it (the Newcastle bids). I’m focusing on Nottingham and then we’ll see what happens.”
“We have a good relationship and good chemistry when we play together. But I have a contract with Nottingham.”
“It’s clear that Newcastle are interested, it means that I am playing good football when a big club shows interest.”
Hardly shutting down talk of a potential move, instead talking up his relationship with Isak and appearing flattered by interest from “big club” Newcastle.
Forest spent much of 2024/25 in the top five and on track to qualify for the Champions League, if not certainly the Europa League.
However, after winning just one of their final five league games and suffering a final day defeat to Chelsea, Nuno’s side slipped to seventh, seeing them qualify for the Europa Conference League instead.
We are not suggesting they will now be forced into a sale, but staying at the City Ground won’t offer the same pull now they’ve missed out on Europe’s top two competitions, especially when Newcastle can offer Champions League football.