Anthony Elanga sets transfer record straight and makes Nottingham Forest demand
Anthony Elanga is enjoying a sterling individual season in a Nottingham Forest shirt – and he has maintained how content he is at the City Ground with more speculation involving his future likely to return in the summer transfer window.
Elanga was strongly linked with a move to Premier League rivals Newcastle United in the summer, as the two clubs conducted deals for Elliot Anderson and Odysseas Vlachodimos in the summer previous. The Swede remained in the Midlands and has since proven to be an integral member of the side which is currently pushing for Champions League football next term.
The former Manchester United winger has acknowledged that speculation will rear its head when you’re performing at such a level – Elanga has produced 14 goal contributions in 32 appearances this season to date – but he’s hardly itching to move on.
“If I have a good season there will always be teams that want to talk, but right now I’m in Nottingham and I’m happy there,” Elanga told Fotbollskanalen.
Forest have nine matches remaining of their league campaign, but before that they’ll head to Brighton and Hove Albion for an FA Cup quarter final tie, and a chance for another day out at Wembley further down the line.
Fifth place will likely be enough for a Champions League berth and they currently lie seven points above sixth-placed Newcastle. They still have Villa and Chelsea to play, by way of clubs rivalling them for European football, but Forest have otherwise very winnable fixtures – and they’re only four points behind second placed Arsenal.
“Nottingham is going pretty well. We’re doing pretty well. Hopefully we’ll finish as high as possible,” Elanga added. “We can do even better. I know all the players in the squad and I know we can all be even better, but we’ve done fantastically well so far.
“We have nine important games left. Many people are talking about Europe (Champions League place) and that is a possibility but we have to win our games. We have done well so far but the season is long. We have to keep winning. I always want more.
“People often ask: “What’s the best match you’ve played?” or: “What’s the best goal you’ve scored?”. Then I always answer that it’s the next one. I can always improve. It would be huge [to qualify], but anything can happen in the Premier League. It’s the best league in the world and if you can perform there then you can perform anywhere.”
Elanga admits he still does keep an eye on former club United’s fortunes and it saddens him to see the state they’re in from afar.
“United are one of the best teams in the world. I still love the club. I watch their games and they have a special place in my heart. When I see them not doing very well, it hurts a little,” Elanga continued. “I think I made a good decision. I’m happy about it.”
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