Latest Nottingham Forest transfer news as January window looms for Steve Cooper’s Reds
Nottingham Forest reportedly retain an interest in striker Michy Batshuayi as the January window approaches.
The Reds have twice eyed a potential move for the 30-year-old in the past year. And the suggestion from Turkey is that they have him on their radar once again.
Forest tried to sign Batshuayi from Chelsea in the summer of 2022, but the deal failed to go through amid reports that the Blues failed to send the relevant paperwork in time. That interest was reignited 12 months later, but the Reds ended up signing Divock Origi on loan from AC Milan as they strengthened their forward resources.
When the switch from Stamford Bridge to the City Ground collapsed, Batshuayi left for Fenerbahce. However, he has struggled for regular game time this season and has generally had to settle for coming off the bench.
Turkish newspaper Sozcu reports the player has now expressed a desire to leave. Fenerbahce are said to have placed a 10 million euros (£8.7m) price tag on his head, with Forest and Lens keeping tabs on the situation.
The Belgium international has featured just four times in the league so far this term. He has scored three goals, all of which have come in the Europa Conference League.
Boss Ismail Kartal is said to have told Batshuayi upon his return from international duty: “You should keep yourself ready as if you will play at any time.” The report states there was no response from the forward.
The Reds added Origi to their ranks in the summer as they looked to bolster their options up front. However, he has made a fairly quiet start to life Trentside and is yet to be included in the starting XI.
He may get an opportunity while Taiwo Awoniyi is sidelined with injury. But if Forest continue to struggle for goals in Awoniyi’s absence, it wouldn’t be a surprise if a striker tops their shopping list either in January or next summer.
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