Nottingham Forest ‘take shine’ to £58m striker but transfer swoop depends on one condition
Nottingham Forest ‘take shine’ to £58m striker but transfer swoop depends on one condition
Nottingham Forest are said to have Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman on their transfer radar ahead of the summer.
It will be an important transfer window for the Reds, with the chance the club will be planning for a European campaign. Nuno Espirito Santo’s side are third in the Premier League table with nine games remaining, making Champions League qualification a distinct possibility.
But however the final weeks of the season pan out, changes will be made to the squad once the dust has settled. Incomings and outgoings can be expected as Forest aim to continue on an upward curve.
Lookman is one of the players the club are eyeing up with the potential to help them do just that, according to TEAMtalk. The versatile 27-year-old is said to have emerged as a possible target for the Reds as they have “taken a shine” to him.
Forest have reportedly been keeping tabs on the Nigeria international for some time. Their interest “could become serious” if they qualify for the Champions League.
A price tag in the region of €60-70 million (£50-58m) is said to have been placed on Lookman’s head as Atalanta appear ready to cash in on the 2024 African Player of the Year. TEAMtalk suggest the Reds would have no problem meeting that fee but there is no shortage of competition for the attacker’s signature.
Premier League rivals Manchester United and Newcastle United are credited with an interest in Lookman, with the latter having scouted him in action in recent weeks. European heavyweights Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan are also said to be keen.
It is claimed Lookman is eager to return to the UK. He started out at Charlton Athletic and went on to play for Everton, before having loan spells with Fulham and Leicester City during his time at RB Leipzig.
He moved to Atalanta from Germany in the summer of 2022 for a reported €15m (£12.5m) fee. He has bagged 18 goals and chipped in with seven assists for the Italian outfit so far this term.
Adding to their options at the top end of the pitch will be a key priority for Forest this summer. They have already been credited with an interest in a number of strikers, as well as several wingers.
Head coach Nuno is a fan of players with the flexibility to operate in a number of different positions as it helps with maintaining a small squad. However, the Portuguese will be aware sufficient strength in depth is required next term as the Reds look to push on again – particularly if they find themselves competing in Europe.
TEAMtalk have reported Forest are piecing together “ambitious” plans for the summer. Owner Evangelos Marinakis is said to be “ready to break the bank” to try to snap up “some big names” ahead of the 2025/26 term, if Forest qualify for the Champions League.
It comes as the Reds have also been linked with striker Victor Osimhen, who is on loan at Galatasaray from Napoli. The Nigerian forward is said to have a €75m (£63) release clause in his contract.
Forest return to action from the international break on Saturday, when they make the trip to face Brighton and Hove Albion in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup (5.15pm kick-off). They then host Manchester United in the league next Tuesday (8pm kick-off).
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