Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis caused shockwaves around the Premier League this week when news emerged of his pursuit of Edu.
If and when the Brazilian, who is now on gardening leave after deciding to step down from his role as sporting director at Arsenal, does join the Marinakis conglomerate of clubs it will go down as quite the coup. But it is not the only statement of intent the Greek businessman has made this season.
In his pre-match press conference, head coach Nuno Espirito Santo himself alluded to one of the key decisions Marinakis made back in the summer. Despite plenty of other clubs eyeing up their star players, the Reds held firm. Any interest was fended off.
For Nuno, such a stance is at the heart of why the start to this season has gone so well. Continuity has been key – both on and off the pitch.
The club’s resolve was particularly tested right at the end of the window when Sunday’s opponents, Newcastle United, tried their luck for Anthony Elanga. Substantial money was reportedly put forward, but Forest were not for turning.
Even back then, it was a clear sign that the Reds and Marinakis meant business. Elanga is a bright young talent and is a popular member of the dressing room. Rejecting a big offer was a big deal for Forest.
Amid a bit of inconsistent form, though, there has been the odd murmur on social media about regrets of not cashing in on the 22-year-old. But the club really deserve some praise for not going down the obvious route.
Not being swayed by an eye-popping bid took some doing. To sell Elanga would have gone against what the Reds are trying to do. Nuno wants to build something; he wants to use the foundations put in place from last term and develop this team further – and it is working.
Elanga is young. He will have peaks and troughs in his performances. Missing out on the Sweden squad for their upcoming fixtures will no doubt have hurt but can act as motivation.
“I think he is doing well,” Nuno said when asked about the former Manchester United winger in his pre-match press conference. “The last game, he was huge for us.
“He is taking on more responsibility than he had before. When James (Ward-Prowse) is not on the pitch, he is our set-piece taker. He is putting a lot of effort into that and it is another responsibility we have given to him. He is doing well.
“We know the threat he has. The threat that he has is natural. He is providing good situations.”
Adding more goals to his game can be an area of improvement for Elanga. He is yet to get on the scoresheet this term.
“I truly believe that we have goals in the team besides Chris (Wood). T (Taiwo Awoniyi) also had a good chance in the last game and is desperate to get this moment – and he will get there,” Nuno added. “For all the players who come on, it is just about the finer details.
“But Anthony for sure (will get there). And I’m very positive that he is going to do it.”
Elliot Anderson and Wood will no doubt be keen to catch the eye against their former club on Sunday. But perhaps Elanga will be eager to do well, too – to show why Forest were right to want to keep him. He remains a player with a lot of potential, and one who can still be key in an exciting campaign at the City Ground.
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