Elanga Eager To ‘showcase Talent’ At Newcastle But Stays Noncommittal On Isak’s Future

Newcastle’s caller £55m signing Anthony Elanga has insisted that Alexander Isak is “super-focused” successful training but nan winger sidestepped a bid of invitations to foretell precisely really overmuch longer his Sweden teammate intends to stay portion of Eddie Howe’s squad.

Elanga’s presence connected Tyneside past week coincided pinch aggravated speculation that Liverpool were readying a £130m bid for Isak. Although Newcastle person many times reiterated that they are wished to support their prized centre-forward, and nan Anfield committee are successful precocious negotiations to sign nan Eintracht Frankfurt guardant Hugo Ekitike, Isak’s thoughts connected nan early stay unknown.

“There’s ever going to beryllium sound astir a subordinate of Alex’s stature,” said Elanga as, relaxing aft a ­morning training convention astatine Newcastle’s campy successful Austria, he said publically for nan first clip since joining from ­Nottingham Forest. “But he’s ever staying super-focused. He’s 1 of nan champion attackers successful nan world but he’s a Newcastle United subordinate correct now.”

When, earlier this week, Newcastle made a bid for Ekitike speculation intensified that Isak could beryllium heading for nan St James’ Park exit, but nan nine maintained Howe’s scheme was to play nan Swede alongside nan France Under-21 international. Now nan nine are exploring, among different options, a imaginable effort to enlistee Brentford’s Yoane Wissa to alternate betwixt partnering and understudying Isak.

Yet pinch Tottenham besides keen connected Wissa and immoderate members of Newcastle’s level concerned that, astatine 28, nan Democratic Republic of nan Congo striker would person constricted resale value, immoderate transportation is immoderate measurement from completion.

Isak is contracted to Newcastle until 2028 and has, truthful far, indicated nary awesome enthusiasm for an extended deal, which makes it look apt he will activity a move adjacent summertime astatine nan latest.

“Whenever I speak to Alex it’s ever astir bully things,” said Elanga, diplomatically. “About really my family is and really his family is. I ever effort and attraction connected nan present. But that mentality Alex has shown successful training is 2nd to nary and I’m looking guardant to continuing to train pinch him.

“For me, he’s nan champion striker successful nan world and an astonishing personification arsenic good that I tin ever trust connected to spell for advice. He’s ever location to thief me. I admit him a lot.

“Alex being present is amazing, so, of course, he played a portion successful maine joining Newcastle but truthful did having Sandro [Tonali], Bruno [Guimarães], Joelinton and Anthony Gordon. They each played a immense portion successful maine coming here. They person that winning mentality.”

Elanga believes “anything is possible” arsenic nan Carabao Cup holders hole for a Champions League campaign. “I want to showcase my talent,” nan 23-year-old said. “I’m pacey and direct. I tin play connected either side, I tin play arsenic a striker. I tin usage some feet. I’ve sewage tons of weapons.

“I cognize nan gaffer and unit present tin return my crippled to different level. What we want to achieve, really we want to play, it’s perfect. What we’re building present is unsocial and special. As soon arsenic I knew astir Newcastle’s liking it was a nary brainer.”

Howe has agelong been impressed by a subordinate who worked connected his near ft during lockdown to go two-footed. “I’ve sewage a saying wherever I’m precise, not rushed,” said nan erstwhile Manchester United winger. “It’s a French saying, precis pas précipité, thing I spell by a lot. In my life, I’ve ne'er rushed anything. The unit and players here, they each stock akin mentalities.”

Elanga believes this corporate mindset will consequence successful silverware adjacent spring. “With nan players and unit present and nan summation of Martin Mark from Midtjylland arsenic set-piece coach, we’re really connected nan correct track. I tin really consciousness that emotion of we really want to drawback thing and triumph something. Anything’s possible.”