Anthony Elanga already has close links to two Newcastle United players.
Newcastle first showed interest in the Sweden international last June as part of the PSR-swindle that took Elliot Anderson to the City Ground. However, Eddie Howe’s side ended up with Greek goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos instead.
Then, on deadline day last summer, the Magpies were understood to have submitted a bid of around £35million but an agreement was never close. Fresh from starring for Forest last season, United are lining up another move.
As first reported by the Daily Mail, Newcastle have enquired about Elanga, who scored six goals and registered 12 assists last term as the Reds finished seventh in the Premier League, qualified for the Europa Conference League and reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side are expected to demand north of £50m. What could also be a key factor is whether or not Elanga indicates he wants to leave and move to Tyneside.
Anthony Elanga has spoken to Alexander Isak about Newcastle United
The 23-year-old already has a close friendship with two Newcastle players, both of whom could play the ‘agent’ role. They are Alexander Isak and Will Osula.
Elanga, of course, knows Isak well from the Sweden national team and revealed last year he spoke to Isak about a potential move to Newcastle. He said: “Isak talked to me about it (Newcastle’s interest). “But I said the same to him as I say to you.
“We have a good relationship and good chemistry when we play together. But I have a contract with Nottingham. The environment in Nottingham is good. It is clear that you can see that Newcastle are interested, it means that I am playing good football when a big club shows interest.
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“But Nottingham is also a big club, they have won two Champions Leagues, even though it was before I was born. But I’m happy in Nottingham and have a contract there. I’m focusing on Nottingham and hope to have a good season, then we’ll see what happens.”
Anthony Elanga’s message to Will Osula that got all Newcastle United fans talking
While we’re not entirely sure how Elanga and Osula know each other, their close bond is evident on social media. And it was an interaction between the pair last month that left all Newcastle fans talking.
Osula uploaded a video to TikTok of himself cooking some Nigerian fufu for Isak and Joe Willock to which Elanga commented ‘where’s my invite, bro?’. Osula then replied: “Anytime my bro, join us.” Newcastle supporters, more jokingly, were convinced that was a ‘come and get me’ plea!
Anthony Elanga withdraws from Sweden squad
The fresh Elanga links emerged over the weekend whilst he was on international duty with Sweden. He has since withdrawn from the national squad, though that has nothing to do with Newcastle’s interest.
Former Newcastle player and current Sweden manager Jon Dahl Tomasson explained via Fotbolldirekt: “He is not playing the second game for personal reasons. It is something we agreed on a long time ago. He may train with us [before the match against Algeria], but he will not play the second match. It is also possible that he will leave after the first match.”
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