Setting their sights on summer spending, Nottingham Forest have reportedly joined a hectic Premier League race to trigger one player’s £25m release clause.
Nottingham Forest already eyeing summer targets
Whilst they’ve earned plenty of deserved praise throughout what has been the story of the season, Nottingham Forest got a timely reminder that there’s still work to be done against Aston Villa – suffering a 2-1 defeat.
Forced into a number of changes thanks to the injury concerns of Ola Aina, Chris Wood and Taiwo Awoniyi, Nuno Espirito Santo was left frustrated by his side’s defeat at full-time, telling reporters: “We tried to find solutions. The boys showed a better game. It was one of the matches that we created the most in but didn’t take anything from the game.
“When you lose, you don’t recover so well. The miles come to your mind. It’s always easy when you are in a good moment. Now it is not so good and it requires a bit of patience.”
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Arguably for the first time this season, Forest had their depth exposed in what may just be a preview of what’s to come if they qualify for the Champions League in the coming weeks.
A place amongst Europe’s elite has seen both Aston Villa and Newcastle United struggle to repeat their magic in the last two seasons and Forest must ensure that they avoid the same fate.
Perhaps in pursuit of that, those at the City Ground have already been linked with a number of impressive moves for the likes of Darwin Nunez and Ademola Lookman. Of course, the former would be particularly interesting, given how he has struggled to make his mark at Liverpool.
If Forest were to land a cut-price deal and then get the best out of the forward, it would be seen as a major coup. Nunez isn’t the only Premier League player that Forest have set their sights on, however.
"Superb" Ramsdale could replace Sels
Like Chris Wood, Matz Sels has enjoyed an excellent season between the sticks at Nottingham Forest but that doesn’t take away from the need for those at the City Ground to find a replacement. They’ve already turned towards a number of options to potentially replace Wood and could now turn towards the heir to Sels’ role now that he’s 33 years old.
According to The Boot Room, Nottingham Forest have now joined a hectic Premier League race to sign Aaron Ramsdale, who has a release clause worth £25m at St Mary’s. Despite only arriving last year, the goalkeeper looks destined to depart this summer with the Saints heading back down to the Championship.
Starts
22
31
Saves P90
4.14
3.19
Save Percentage
66.9%
74.3%
Pass Completion
64.7%
50.9%
With Newcastle United, Forest, Bournemouth and Leeds United all queuing up for the England international’s signature, he will be spoilt for choice when the summer transfer window arrives.
Praised for a “superb” save against Bournemouth by Manchester City icon Joe Hart earlier this season, Southampton’s season – for all of how disappointing it has been – may have somehow been worse without Ramsdale.