‘Nottingham Forest handed Anthony Elanga bonus with major Jack Grealish update’
Nuno Espirito Santo has been handed a major boost over Anthony Elanga’s future as a Nottingham Forest player this summer.
The Sweden international enjoyed his best individual campaign of his career, notching six goals and 12 assists in 43 matches as the Reds brought European football back to the City Ground.
While Chris Wood and Morgan Gibbs-White stole the headlines for much of the 2024/25 season, Elanga attracted plenty of attention away from Forest, with Football Insider understanding that Newcastle United remain interested.
He has only been with Forest for two seasons, recording a total of 11 goals and 21 assists in that time, but the winger has quickly become a much-loved figure by the passionate crowd at the City Ground.
Elanga is clearly an important part of Nuno Espirito Santo‘s plans, given that the player featured in all 38 of the team’s Premier League matches this season, and many will be hoping to keep hold of him.
Nottingham Forest could lose multiple stars after Champions League blow
It has already been suggested that Gibbs-White could leave Forest after the team missed out on Champions League football, with interest from Arsenal, Man City, and Tottenham.
Now, the allure of leaving the City Ground to compete in the elite European competition at St James’ Park could be a huge pull for Elanga this summer, but Forest will be keen to avoid multiple big-name exits.
Espirito Santo has the potential to build on what was an incredible season for the Reds, finishing seventh in the Premier League table, and even reaching the semi-finals of the FA Cup.
And with the latest news now emerging out of Newcastle, the Portuguese figure may get his transfer wish ahead of the 2025/26 season kicking off.
Newcastle United lead the race to sign Jack Grealish
There has been plenty of speculation around Jack Grealish‘s future as a Man City player, having started just seven Premier League matches during the 2024/25 campaign, only netting one goal.
While Everton have been involved in the conversation for the 29-year-old’s signature, Football Insider understands that the Toffees are joined by Newcastle as favourites for Grealish this summer.
The winger has been left out of Pep Guardiola‘s squad for the Club World Cup, with sources saying that a loan deal, with his parent club covering a portion of the player’s wages, is the “most likely” outcome.
Newcastle signing the England international, albeit likely temporarily, would be an incredible boost to Forest’s chances of keeping Elanga this season, with a multitude of wingers already available to Eddie Howe.
Anthony Gordon, Harvey Barnes, and Jacob Murphy are all fighting for the same spots, and if Grealish were to join this summer, it would be incredibly difficult to persuade Elanga into making the same move.
While losing Gibbs-White unfortunately appears very likely for the Reds over the coming weeks, there is no doubt that Espirito Santo can continue building forward if he can keep hold of the bulk of the current squad.
Elanga has become integral to the way Forest play, as has Callum Hudson-Odoi, and if Evangelos Marinakis wants to back his manager in the transfer market, he will ensure that both wingers stay.