Nottingham Forest are in talks with Feyenoord’s Santiago Gimenez and Arsenal’s Eddie Nketiah, while also agreeing to sign Alex Moreno from Premier League rivals Aston Villa.
The two-time European Champions are known for making a flurry of late transfer window moves. And the summer of 2024 is unlikely to be any different.
After strengthening their backline with 6ft+ giants Nikola Milenkovic and Carlos Miguel, relieving pressure on Morgan Gibbs-White with Elliot Anderson, and signing two troublesome wingers in Jota Silva and Ramon Sosa, the final week of August will focus on centre-forwards.
Nottingham Forest, according to HITC, have spoken with up to four potential candidates for the number nine position.
Nottingham Forest are considering signing Santiago Gimenez and Eddie Nketiah.
A bid of £21 million has already been rejected for the former.
Gimenez, who was linked with Real Madrid and liked by Tottenham Hotspur prior to Dominic Solanke’s arrival, scored 26 goals last season and four in three at the start of this season.
“I think he is a player who will also score goals in the Premier League,” Feyenoord veteran Mario Been tells ESPN”I believe he is a striker with future potential. He is just 23 years old.
Arsenal, meanwhile, requested a whopping £50 million for Nketiah earlier this summer. With time running out, it remains to be seen whether The Gunners are willing to compromise their demands. Marseille were scared off, and Bournemouth chose to replace Solanke with Porto’s Evanilson.
Nottingham Forest have also had an opening offer for Nketiah turned down.
However, as with Gimenez, conversations are underway. Arsenal may not stand in the academy graduate’s way, especially with Kai Havertz establishing himself as Mikel Arteta’s first-choice striker and Gabriel Jesus returning to fitness.
“We need more (signings),” Nuno Espirito Santo told the Nottingham Post last month, and his request for ‘more wingers’ was met by the arrivals of Jota and Sosa. “Not too many, but I believe we still need a few items.
“You constantly need to add the proper components. It is pointless to bring in (new players) just because. We need to be certain about the players we bring in.
“All of the additions we’ve made – and may make – are intended to bring them into the group, to help them understand the team’s vision and what we want from them and their responsibilities.
“Performance levels are not as essential now. All of the players we sign are because we believe they will add something unique to our group.”
Alex Moreno arrived from Aston Villa.
HITC understands that Nottingham Forest has agreed to buy Aston Villa’s Alex Moreno. A deal has been reached for the swashbuckling Spaniard. Villa have agreed to let Moreno move on loan, with an option to buy included in his deal.
The former Real Betis flyer was a huge success after arriving for £13 million in January 2023. His effect was then hampered by injury, and Moreno is now ranked third behind Lucas Digne and summer signing Ian Maatsen.
Moreno did not make the Aston Villa team for Saturday’s 2-1 victory over West Ham United. Unai Emery, the head coach, has now indicated that his departure is imminent.
“We signed Ian Maatsen and were speaking with some different players in this position,” Emery told the Birmingham Mail. “We are now having difficulty managing with three specialized left full-backs.
“Alex Moreno is a player who he is now close to leaving.”
