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Football Insider

The Potential Return of Anthony Elanga to Nottingham Forest: A Second Chance for the Winger

Former Nottingham Forest star Anthony Elanga has been urged to consider re-signing with the club after struggling to make an impact at Newcastle following a big money transfer. Could a return to the City Ground reignite his career and bring back the flying winger's spark?

The Potential Return of Anthony Elanga to Nottingham Forest: A Second Chance for the Winger

Anthony Elanga has been told he is “not the same sort of person” since completing a £55 million ($73m) transfer to Newcastle, with Nottingham Forest being urged to consider re-signing the flying winger if their Premier League status can be retained. Former Reds striker Marlon Harewood, who also spent time on loan at St James’ Park, has told GOAL why familiar faces should be on the City Ground recruitment radar.Forest were able to preserve their top-flight standing across two seasons, on the back of promotion in 2022, before kicking on into the top seven and European qualification last term. Home-grown star Brennan Johnson helped them down that path, before passing the baton on to Elanga.The Sweden international headed to Trentside in 2023 when severing ties with Manchester United. He registered 11 goals and 20 assists for Forest across a couple of campaigns, bringing him to the attention of big-spending outfits that were waiting to see if full potential could be unlocked in a mercurial talent.Newcastle took the plunge after returning to Champions League competition, but have seen Elanga struggle for consistency in the North East. He is yet to convince a passionate fan base of his worth and may be allowed to move on in 2026 if the right offer is presented.Forest could be in that market - with Elliot Anderson seeing a return to his Tyneside roots mooted - and they are crying out for the injection of pace that Johnson and Elanga once offered.Quizzed on whether the Reds could be in for either of those jet-heeled forwards, with Johnson not enjoying the best of times since leaving Tottenham for Crystal Palace, Harewood - speaking in association with Non Gamstop Casinos - told GOAL: “It's a great shout. I wouldn't turn it down. It's familiarity isn't it? I bet when they come back they won't feel out of place because they'll know where they've been and how they've got to where they've gone. And they'll just come back and do the exact same thing as what they've been up to. So it's a nice thing to think about because that's where they've got their moves from. Obviously for some reason, whatever reason there is, they haven't hit the ground running wherever they've gone. “Obviously you're talking about Elanga going to Newcastle. He has struggled. But in the sense of what we know he's capable of, he's probably been playing alright, playing good. But not to the standard that he's been playing for Forest, because he looked sharp when he was playing for Forest. Every time he went forward it looked like he was going to score a goal and he was an absolute threat. And I don't know, with respect to the Newcastle manager or Newcastle, he just doesn't seem the same sort of person that he was at Forest.”Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reportingWhile plenty of Forest supporters would like to see Johnson or Elanga back at the City Ground, having previously witnessed what they are capable of, summer transfer plans are in no position to be finalised just yet.The Reds are still precariously perched just above the Premier League relegation zone, with a crucial clash at fellow basement dwellers Tottenham set to be taken in on Sunday. If a course to safety can be steered, then questions can begin to be asked of whether reunions with a couple of former fan favourites should be explored.

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The Rise and Fall of Anthony Elanga

Anthony Elanga, once a promising talent at Nottingham Forest, took the leap to Newcastle in a high-profile £55 million transfer. However, his time at St James' Park has been marred by inconsistency and a failure to live up to expectations. Despite showing glimpses of his potential, Elanga has struggled to replicate the form that made him a standout performer for Forest.

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The Call for a Nottingham Forest Comeback

Former Reds striker Marlon Harewood has advocated for Nottingham Forest to consider re-signing Elanga, emphasizing the importance of familiar faces in the squad. With Forest aiming to secure their Premier League status, the prospect of bringing back the pace and attacking threat that Elanga once provided is an enticing one for fans and club alike.

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Elanga's Impact at Nottingham Forest

During his time at Nottingham Forest, Elanga was a key player, contributing 11 goals and 20 assists across two seasons. His dynamic style of play and ability to create scoring opportunities made him a fan favorite and a vital part of the team's success. If he were to return to the City Ground, Elanga could potentially rediscover his best form and reignite his career under familiar surroundings.

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Future Prospects for Nottingham Forest

As Nottingham Forest battles to avoid relegation from the Premier League, the potential re-signing of Elanga could offer a much-needed boost to the squad. With his proven track record at the club and the desire to recapture his form, Elanga could be the missing piece in Forest's quest for survival in the top flight. Fans eagerly await the outcome of upcoming matches and the possibility of welcoming back a prodigal talent.

Published on Mar 17, 2026