ANTHONY ELANGA admits to being flattered by Newcastle United’s interest in him – but claims even Alexander Isak’s sales pitch has not resulted in his head being turned.

Newcastle initially inquired about Elanga’s availability when they were selling Elliot Anderson to Forest at the end of June, but talks ended with the Magpies signing goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos from the City Ground instead.

However, after failing in their drawn-out pursuit of Marc Guehi, Newcastle switched their transfer attentions back to the winger on deadline day at the end of last month.

A late discussion with Forest officials raised hopes that a deal could be agreed, but with the City Ground hierarchy adamant they would only consider a cash-plus-player arrangement, Newcastle withdrew their interest in the 22-year-old.

Elanga is an international team-mate of Isak, with the pair having been part of the Sweden squad that claimed a 3-0 win over Estonia yesterday.

The duo have discussed the possibility of Elanga moving to St James’ Park, but the Forest winger insists he will not be agitating for a move to the North-East.

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“Isak talked to me about it (moving to Newcastle),” admitted Elanga, who is valued at around £35m. “But I said the same to him as I have been saying to everyone.

“We have a good relationship and good chemistry when we play together, but I have a contract with Nottingham. I’m focusing on Nottingham and hope to have a good season, then we’ll see what happens.”

That last comment could be interpreted as an attempt, by Elanga, to keep his options open for future transfer windows, with Newcastle having developed a track record for revisiting failed transfer moves on more than one occasion.

Elanga, who developed through Manchester United’s youth system after moving to England in 2015, is contracted with Forest until 2028, and regards Newcastle’s interest as proof that his career is on the right track.

“The environment in Nottingham is good,” he said, in an interview with Swedish media outlet Fotboll Skanalen. “It is clear that you can see that Newcastle are interested, it means that I am playing good football when a big club shows interest.

“But Nottingham is also a big club, they have won two Champions Leagues, even though it was before I was born. But I’m happy in Nottingham and have a contract there.”