Forest ‘need to bring other players in’ after Elanga’s arrival

Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper says he wants new signing Anthony Elanga to be the latest young player to become an “asset” to the club.

Elanga made his first appearance for the club after his £15m move from Manchester United in Thursday night’s 2-0 pre-season defeat to Leeds United.

“He’s double quick,” Cooper said after the match.

“We saw a lot of things last year in the Premier League that you need to be and that is athleticism and pace so he certainly has that.”

Forest broke a Premier League record last summer by signing 21 players in a single transfer window, and Cooper wants more additions this year – with a similar profile to the 21-year-old Sweden international.

“Hopefully the other players we bring in – because we need other players that’s for sure – will be of equal athleticism,” he added.

“You always want young players in your squad that can become an asset to the club while having an impact on a short-term basis.

“We hope Anthony can become the next example of that after the likes of Morgan (Gibbs-White), Brennan (Johnson), Neco (Williams), Danilo – so that’s the aim of course.

“We want him to have a short-term impact in what we do but we also know there’s still a lot of development to do and a lot of potential that he’ll need to work hard to fulfil as well.

“But, I’m pretty sure that will be the case.”

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The second raid on Man Utd coming, with the Prem side to strike a conditional agreement they can’t back out of

Nottingham Forest are closing in on a second raid on Man Utd, with a reporter claiming a loan with a conditional option that would become an obligation to buy is “on the verge” of being agreed.

Nott’m Forest has already signed one Red Devils star this summer, with Sweden winger Anthony Elanga joining in a £15m deal.

However, Steve Cooper’s side are determined to make it a double, with an agreement to re-sign goalkeeper Dean Henderson understood to be close.

The 26-year-old looks destined to leave Man Utd after Erik ten Hag signed Andre Onana to replace David de Gea.

As such, if Henderson were to remain at Old Trafford, he’d be left playing second fiddle to Onana.

Henderson impressed while loaned to Forest last season before a serious thigh injury curtailed his season.

However, he shone when fit and Forest are determined to bring Henderson back on board.

The Manchester Evening News reported on Friday that United is ‘receptive’ to a loan deal providing it contained an obligation to buy.

Per the report, United would also insist the deal be structured in a way that ensured they receive the transfer fee ahead of the January transfer window. The obvious implication there is Ten Hag would like the freedom to strengthen in January if there is a pressing need.

Now, a fresh update from journalist Sacha Tavolieri has shed new light on Henderson’s future.

Tavolieri is the reporter who has led the way with regard to Liverpool’s pursuit of Romeo Lavia. Per the journalist, Henderson is “now set to stay at Nottingham Forest next season as an agreement is on the verge of being found” with Man Utd.

Appearance target to turn option into an obligation

Tavolieri claimed a loan with an option that would become an obligation to buy is in the works. The option would reportedly become an obligation if Henderson plays an as-yet unspecified number of games.

As such, and if Henderson features regularly and is a success back at the City Ground, Forest will be locked into signing the player outright.

Whether the deal would fit with the January deadline the MEN discussed wasn’t made clear.

However, what is clear is Forest and Man Utd are on the cusp of doing business for Dean Henderson.

The move will come as a relief to Henderson who is known to harbour ambitions of breaking back into England’s squad ahead of Euro 2024.

Henderson will only be able to displace one of Jordan Pickford, Aaron Ramsdale, and Nick Pope if playing and impressing regularly. He’d be denied that chance if remaining at Old Trafford and warming the bench behind Onana.