Nuno Espirito Santo wants to strengthen his attacking department in January.
Nottingham Forest have performed admirably under new manager Nuno Espirito Santo, having defeated Newcastle United and Manchester United in his first three games.
With this improvement in form, the Tricky Trees are now 15th in the Premier League, five points above the relegation zone.
However, an opportunity to recruit a player once regarded by Arsenal icon Thierry Henry as “the most complete striker in the league” has emerged.
Nottingham Forest’s most recent transfer – Roberto Firmino
According to AS, Forest are interested in signing ex-Liverpool midfielder Roberto Firmino in January.
The Brazilian is uneasy in Saudi Arabia, and he has lost favor with Al-Ahli CEO Matthias Jaissle.
As a result, Firmino is willing to leave the club he only joined in the summer in order to receive more playing time.
How Firmino stacks up against Chris Wood
Chris Wood has taken over as Forest’s first-choice striker after Taiwo Awoniyi suffered an injury that will keep him out until March. The 32-year-old’s performances have been outstanding since Nuno Santo took over, with four goals and an assist in three games.
Despite his fantastic form, Firmino’s possible signing could reduce his playing time, with the Brazilian noted for his 190 goal contributions in 362 games for Liverpool. But how do Wood’s Premier League figures this season compare to Firmino’s Premier League stats last season?
As you can see, they are very different players, with Firmino proving to be a far more ‘complete’ forward than Wood, as Henry pointed out.
The Forest striker is a conventional number nine whose sole responsibility is to score goals, be a menace in the box, and be a handful. Firmino, on the other hand, is a player who will lift everyone around him with his endless technical abilities, link-up play, and inventiveness.
He would bring out the best in Morgan Gibbs-White and Anthony Elanga, not just because of his quick thinking, but also because of his incredible work rate and contagious happy attitude. He is also a clinical player who can score goals and thrive in every game situation.
Although Firmino, who has Champions League and title-winning experience, would undoubtedly be preferred over Wood, there is a chance that the two attackers may play together due to Firmino’s versatility. With the Forest manager opting for a 4-2-3-1 formation, there may be space for the Brazilian to operate in the number ten role just off Wood, forming a ‘small and giant’ partnership.
Overall, Firmino would be a fantastic addition to Forest’s squad, since he would bring a world-class, seasoned player to a young squad.
Nuno Santo would benefit from the former Liverpool player’s tactical versatility and ability to cover many roles. The Tricky Trees must attempt to seal the deal.
