Cristiano Ronaldo was once so impressed by Newcastle United transfer target Anthony Elanga that he asked him to partake in his iconic celebration.
Elanga is once again on Newcastle United’s radar, with the club having also been keen to sign the Nottingham Forest forward last summer.
Geordie Boot Boys understands that Elanga is a leading Newcastle transfer target this summer, albeit Forest are under little pressure to sell the Sweden star for anything other than maximum value.
Elanga was open to joining Newcastle in 2024, having starred at the City Ground since leaving Manchester United in 2023.
He played alongside Ronaldo at Old Trafford and the Portuguese superstar was impressed during their time together.
What Cristiano Ronaldo told Newcastle United transfer target Anthony Elanga
Speaking to The Daily Mail in 2022, Elanga revealed that Ronaldo wanted him to join him in doing iconic ‘SIUUU’ celebration after they linked up for a goal against Norwich.
The Swede provided the assist for Ronaldo’s strike at Old Trafford, with the forward scoring a hat-trick in the game.
“That was an exciting time – the double SIUUU. I didn’t expect it,” he said.
“He said: “Let’s do it”. I said, “fair enough” – but if you see in the video, I didn’t really get into the air properly. But I managed to do it anyway and it was a special moment.
“We spoke about it the day before, actually – how we were going to work, in terms of pressing.
“[We said that] if you get an opportunity, look up. If he gets an opportunity, to look up for me, as I’ll be in the box or he will be in the box.”
Elanga also claimed Ronaldo would go out of his way to speak to him and Jadon Sancho before games, looking to use his experience to help them develop.
“He’ll speak to me and Sancho together about what we can do in the game, to affect the games – and it’s important to have someone like that in the team.
“He is someone I look up to and speak to and ask for advice and stuff. He is a special player to work with.”
Newcastle United have ‘bid rejected’ for Anthony Elanga
According to journalist Sebastien Vidal on social media platform X, Newcastle have seen an offer rejected by Forest.
It’s said that Elanga wants to join Newcastle this summer, though talks with the City Ground side are expected to be difficult.
Newcastle could spend over £100million during this summer’s transfer window and a new forward is on the radar.
Whether they can actually tempt Forest to sell Elanga, however, remains to be seen.
Alexander Isak has spoken to Elanga about a move to Newcastle, but Forest look ready to hold out for a big fee.
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