Nottingham Forest fought hard to sign a new talisman in the January transfer window but eventually ended up frustrated in their efforts.
Evangelos Marinakis tried hard to bring a new forward to Forest. A number of targets were identified but nothing came to fruition before the window slammed shut last Monday.
Yoane Wissa was a big target for Forest. The 28-year-old is in fine form this season with 11 goals to his name but Thomas Frank was insistent that Brentford kept him at least until the end of the campaign.
Another player wanted by Forest was Matheus Cunha. He was the subject of a number of bids but he eventually signed a new contract with Cunha having a release clause included active from the summer.
Forest will undoubtedly look to sign a new striker this summer. Chris Wood has 17 goals this season, but with Taiwo Awoniyi failing, competition for his position is needed.
Nottingham Forest have revealed how much Jean-Philippe Mateta will cost
Forest expressed interest in Mateta shortly after the transfer window closed. It has now been revealed how much clubs will have to spend to sign the uncompromising striker this summer.
According to The Sun, Mateta will cost any interested party £50 million. Palace owner John Textor is actually looking to sell him to Lyon, which he also controls, in a move that is unlikely to go down well with Eagles fans.
Mateta has been in fine form during 2024/25. He’s bagged 10 Premier League goals this season and has helped Palace recover from a pretty drab start to the campaign.
Mateta, 27, does look to be on the move this summer. It’s alleged in the story by Alan Nixon that he’s now keen to join an elite club and one competing in European competition.
Mateta could be the ideal successor for Wood.
With Wood on 17 goals for the season thus far, replacing him is not in the manager’s immediate plans, but at 33 years old, he will slow down in the future.
Mateta’s style of play is comparable to Wood’s, although he is only 27 and is likely nearing the pinnacle of his abilities.
Thierry Henry is a passionate Mateta admirer. He was chosen for the Olympics by the French legend, who told Get French Football News: “He’s an old-fashioned attacker; you can play a little more direct. He can keep the ball. He’s a boring striker to play against since he seldom loses the ball and always goes for the final defender. I don’t think he’s too horrible.
Forest will undoubtedly pursue a striker once the summer transfer window opens. If Mateta wants to leave Selhurst Park, the Reds could do a lot worse than add the Frenchman to their squad for next season.
