Nottingham Forest 'in talks' for the next Murillo as £8m-rated ace on transfer shopping list
Nottingham Forest are said to have their eye on Red Star Belgrade defender Nasser Djiga as the transfer window deadline looms.
Aside from re-signing goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey, the Reds are yet to bring in any reinforcements this month and have until 11pm on February 3 to get any deals done. It promises to be a big week for the club as they look to ensure head coach Nuno Espirito Santo has the resources to keep challenging at the top end of the Premier League table.
There is no need for a mass shopping spree but any business done in the next few days could make a big difference in Forest’s push for European football. And according to Serbian publication Nogo Mania, centre-back Djiga is on the club’s radar.
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The Reds are said to be “currently offering” €9 million (£7.5m) to snap up the 22-year-old as they “step up” their efforts to sign him. That is below the €10m (£8.3m) Red Star are looking for, and talks between the two clubs are reported to be “ongoing”.
Miran Pavlin, who was appointed as international sporting advisor at the City Ground last August, is said to be playing “a key role” in the discussions. It is claimed Forest are “preparing for the possible departure” of star defender Murillo, although the Brazilian is unlikely to go anywhere this month having just penned a new deal Trentside.
According to The Mirror, the Reds are one of three Premier League teams with an interest in Djiga. It is suggested the player could play his last game for Red Star tomorrow, against Young Boys, amid Forest exploring a permanent deal which could include a potential sell-on clause.
Burkina Faso international Djiga already has Champions League experience under his belt with Red Star. He made the move to the Serbian side on a permanent basis in 2024 after a loan spell, and counts FC Basel and Vitesse as his former clubs.
The Reds have already seen one defender move on this month. Last week, Andrew Omobamidele headed to Strasbourg on loan. His departure leaves Nuno with Murillo, Nikola Milenkovic, Morato and Willy Boly as his centre-back options.
