Anthony Elanga has just become ‘unofficial world champion’ while Newcastle United are trying to sign him

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Newcastle United transfer target Anthony Elanga, along with current star Alexander Isak, has just become unofficial world champions. 

As was the case last summer, Newcastle United are keen on signing Elanga from Nottingham Forest.

Indeed, Newcastle have made an enquiry about Elanga, who plays alongside Isak for Sweden. 

Elanga was brilliant for Sweden against Hungary on Friday but sat out of their epic 4-3 win over Algeria on Tuesday night. 

Still, that victory in an international friendly means both the Forest star and Isak will be unofficial world champions by the time they next take to the field for their country.  

• READ MORE: What Anthony Elanga privately told Alexander Isak about joining Newcastle United last summer

Sweden become unofficial world champions  

By beating Algeria, Sweden have taken the crown as unofficial world champions.

Algeria held that title for 5 games, having beaten Liberia last year. They conquered Ivory Coast, who had previously beaten Uruguay. The Uruguayans were the first team to beat Argentina after they won the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Obviously, UEFA or FIFA do not recognise the idea of unofficial world champions, but it was a concept created after Scotland beat England in 1967, while they were still official world champions after lifting the World Cup the year before. 

That’s now passed to Sweden, who next play in September against Slovenia.

Isak didn’t feature during the June international break due to injury but will hope to be involved in their next game, meaning both he and Elanga will be unofficial world champions by the time they next take to the pitch for their country. 

Expert reveals the latest on Newcastle United’s attempt to sign Anthony Elanga

Geordie Boot Boys spoke to TBR Football’s chief correspondent Graeme Bailey earlier this week. 

Bailey revealed that Forest could demand £60million from Newcastle for Elanga, such is their desire to keep him at the City Ground. 

“Obviously he will come at a price,” he said.

“I do not believe it will be under £60million, which is the precedent that has been set. He is younger than Cunha and Mbeumo, who are costing similar.” 

It remains to be seen if Newcastle are prepared to pay that much for the 23-year-old, who still has three years to go on his contract at Forest.

Isak and Elanga have played 12 games together for Sweden without linking up for a single goal, though would no doubt hope to change that if they were to join up at club level.