Moussa Niakhate is set to leave Nottingham Forest and it transpires that he was offered a chance to remain in the Premier League.
Niakhate looks set to sign for Lyon with a medical now booked for the Forest defender ahead of a departure.
The 28-year-old has spent two seasons with Forest, enjoying mixed fortunes at the City Ground.
After signing from Mainz in the summer of 2022 he tore his hamstring off the bone in the first home game of the 2022/23 campaign.
Last season he dislocated his elbow ahead of the season and saw him face a fight for his place under both Steve Cooper and Nuno Espirito Santo.
Now, with the latest PSR cycle set to end, Forest have moved quickly to do whatever they can to avoid a points deduction.
Nottingham Forest man Moussa Niakhate rejected Premier League transfer
Niakhate is heading over to France tonight in order to complete his medical checks and sign for Lyon.
He’s a central defender who has always given his all for Forest and this one does come as a bit of a blow.
According to Foot Mercato, Crystal Palace made an attempt to sign Niakhate but the player rejected that particular move.
Lille were also keen from Ligue 1 but ultimately Niakhate favours a move to Lyon where he will link up with Orel Mangala.
Niakhate will be announced as a Lyon player before the weekend it seems and that means Forest can start recruiting their own new players.
Forest will need central defensive reinforcements
With Murillo also in the midst of some transfer links, Forest are short of left-sided options at the back.
Hopefully, this news means that Forest can be more relaxed regarding Murillo and can afford to only sell him if the valuation is met.
Thankfully, Forest haven’t sold the player to a rival Premier League outfit and he will now head to play his football in a different country.
Forest do now have to get busy in the market themselves, with Andrew Omobamidele, Willy Boly and the sought-after Murillo the only defensive options.
It’s hard not to wish Niakhate well, however, and he did always give his all in a Forest shirt.
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