Jesse Lingard’s replacement might be the Manchester City academy product.
Nottingham Forest will be looking for a much more comfortable season in the Premier League next season, and ensuring that the recruitment is right on this summer will be critical to their success.
Following a difficult relegation battle, the Garibaldi Reds ended 16th in the top-flight standings with four points to spare, and Steve Cooper will be pleased with the fight his players put up at the end to keep their place in the top level for another season.
However, there is still much work to be done at the City Ground to establish and entrench themselves as a consistent Premier League squad capable of competing, so selecting fresh signings who can make a significant effect will be critical to improving performances.
Nottingham Forest will be looking for a much more comfortable season in the Premier League next season, and ensuring that the recruitment is right on this summer will be critical to their success.
However, there is still much work to be done at the City Ground to establish and cement themselves as a consistent Premier League club capable of competing, thus bringing in new players who can make an impact will be vital to improve results.
Nottingham Forest will be looking for a far more pleasant season in the Premier League next season, and making the proper recruitment decisions this summer will be vital to their success.
Forest announced their retained and released list earlier this month, with 12 players leaving this summer, including former Manchester United sensation Jesse Lingard, after a poor season on Trentside.
Lingard failed to live up to lofty expectations during his loan, with the 30-year-old failing to make an impression, making only 17 league games and contributing zero goals.
As a result, replacing Lingard with a more prolific presence in front of goal should not be the most difficult chore for the club’s leadership, and one player who may be a big asset next season is Carlos Borges, who has been linked with Manchester City.
According to ESPN, Forest have undertaken ‘preliminary talks’ to sign the youngster this summer, with the Premier League winners valuing him at £11 million.
The precocious teenager has risen through the ranks of the treble-winning club’s development system, earning the accolade of Premier League Two Player of the Season this season for his outstanding performances with the U21s.
Borges, dubbed the “real deal” by journalist Tom Young, scored 29 goals and registered 18 assists in 38 appearances across all competitions, with a goal contribution every 55 minutes. This is an incredible achievement for the youngster who was the outright top-scorer in Premier League Two last season with 21 goals.
Not only that, but the Man City left-winger has shown flashes of other key qualities that could make him an invaluable asset to Cooper next season, averaging 2.3 shots on target, 1.7 key passes, 2.7 tackles, one successful dribble, and 3.7 duels won per game in three Football League Trophy appearances last season.
The 11-cap Portugal U19 player, described as “phenomenal” by Jacek Kulig, now appears to be ready to take the next step into first-team football, and Forest might offer him the chance to continue his excellent development in the forward line at the City Ground next season.
Cooper could now bolster that energetic presence by deploying Borges alongside the tenacious duo. The Tricky Trees have had great success with youthful talent in their forward line, as both Brennan Johnson and Morgan Gibbs-White have been a force to be reckoned with in the attacking third, contributing to 26 goals last season.
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