Elanga a Shadow of His Forest Self at Newcastle? Ex-Red Harewood Pushes for Prodigal Return

Picture this: a pacey winger tearing up the Premier League, leaving defenders in the dust, then vanishing to a big club only to look like he's forgotten his boots. That's Anthony Elanga in a nutshell right now. The Swedish speedster, who bolted from Nottingham Forest to Newcastle United for a whopping £55 million ($73m), has folks back at the City Ground whispering about a homecoming.

Ex-Forest striker Marlon Harewood, who's no stranger to Tyneside after a loan stint at St James' Park, dropped this bombshell in a chat with Goal.com. With Forest teetering on the relegation tightrope, why not lure back the flying Swede – or even Brennan Johnson – to inject some jet fuel into the attack?

Forest's Winger Factory: Elanga and Johnson's Glory Days

Forest fans still get goosebumps thinking about it. After scraping promotion in 2022, the Reds clawed their way to safety twice, then surged into the top seven and Europe last season. Homegrown hero Johnson lit the fuse before shipping out, paving the way for Elanga to take the spotlight.

The ex-Manchester United lad arrived on Trentside in 2023 and didn't disappoint. Over two campaigns, he notched 11 goals and 20 assists, turning heads with his electric pace and end product. Every sprint forward screamed 'goal incoming' – he was a nightmare for full-backs, pure box office.

Big clubs circled, sensing untapped potential in the mercurial 22-year-old. Newcastle, flush from Champions League cash, splashed the lot. But has the Magpies' pressure cooker dimmed that spark?

Tyneside Terrors: Elanga's Magpie Misery

Fast-forward to the North East, and it's a different story. Elanga's been patchy, failing to win over the Geordie faithful. No consistent bang from his runs, no terrorising the touchline like at Forest. Whispers of a 2026 exit are growing if a decent bid lands.

It's not just him, mind. Elliot Anderson, Forest's midfield maestro on loan from Newcastle, might fancy a permanent switch back home too. The Reds are gasping for that wide pace Johnson and Elanga once served up on a plate – think lightning counters and crosses that beg to be buried.

Johnson's not faring much better, by the way. After Tottenham, he's now at Crystal Palace and looking a bit lost. Prodigal sons, anyone?

Harewood's Pub Chat Verdict: 'He's Not the Same Bloke'

So, could the City Ground call these lads back? Harewood, chatting in tandem with Non Gamstop Casinos, didn't mince words: "It's a great shout. Familiarity, innit? They'd slot right back in, hit the ground running like old times."

On Elanga specifically: "He looked sharp at Forest – every forward burst was a goal threat. At Newcastle? Not the same sort of person. Respect to their gaffer, but he's not firing on all cylinders."

Harewood nailed it – sometimes the grass isn't greener. Forest thrived on these boys' energy; without it, the attack's been toothless amid the survival scrap.

Relegation Roulette: Can Forest Dream of Reunions?

Hold your horses, though. Summer shopping lists are miles off. The Reds sit precariously above the drop zone, with a massive clash against basement rivals Tottenham this Sunday. Win that, steady the ship, and Nuno Espirito Santo might eye those familiar faces.

Fans are drooling at the thought – Elanga and Johnson bombing down the flanks again? It'd be like Christmas come early. But first, survival. Beat the drop, and who knows? Trentside could echo with Swedish flair once more.

As Harewood puts it, these lads know the drill. A return might just reignite the magic. Keep an eye on this one, lads – transfer tittle-tattle doesn't get tastier.

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