Nottingham Forest transfer news latest as Aina 'difficulty' outlined and defender 'poised' to leave
It is a big January transfer window for Nottingham Forest as they look to maintain their challenge at the top end of the Premier League table.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side have been in flying form and that means overseeing the right deals this month carries added importance. The Reds head coach recognises too much disruption carries the risk of having a detrimental effect on his team.
With clubs now able to do business, the rumour mill is in full swing. Below, we round up the latest Forest transfer news and gossip.
Aina interest
Reds defender Ola Aina continues to attract plenty of interest as clubs monitor his contract situation. The Nigeria international’s current deal expires in the summer and he is now able to negotiate with foreign clubs.
Forest are said to be confident of getting Aina - as well as striker Chris Wood - tied down but in the meantime the full-back continues to be the subject of speculation. Manchester City have been linked and now Galatasaray are said to be keen.
Turkish reports are not always the most reliable but Aina is said to be on the club’s wish list. Nevertheless, there is an admission that a deal would not be easy to do.
Turkish media outlet Haber Sari Kirmizi quote Galatasaray reporter Kutlu Akpınar as saying: “Galatasaray is looking for a right-back. One of these names is Ola Aina from Nottingham Forest. Galatasaray has not made an official offer to this name yet, but he is one of the players they are interested in. I see it as a difficult transfer.”
Omobamidele exit?
Centre-back Andrew Omobamidele has struggled for game time in the Garibaldi this season. He has made just one appearance so far and that was back in August, against Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup.
A mass exodus from the City Ground is unlikely this month as Forest do not have too much fat to trim after doing much of the groundwork in the summer. However, loans to secure regular football for some players could be on the cards - and Omobamidele falls into that category.
According to The Telegraph, the 22-year-old is “poised” to head elsewhere and Leeds United could be a “possible destination”. It had already been mooted the Championship outfit could revive their interest in Omobamidele, having reportedly been keen on him in the summer.
Boss Daniel Farke worked with the defender when the pair were at Norwich City together. Farke has said of potential business this month: “We won't risk anything with lots of business so I expect a pretty calm and quiet January."
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Marmoush regret
It continues to be a case of what might have been for Forest where Omar Marmoush is concerned. The Reds reportedly made two bids for the Eintracht Frankfurt forward in the summer but were unable to prise him away.
It seems plenty of Forest’s Premier League rivals are now ready to try their luck as the 25-year-old’s stock has shot up in the last few months. Earlier this week it was reported Manchester City were “pondering a move” for Marmoush, but it seems Arsenal could be in pole position for his signature.
According to GIVEMESPORT, the Gunners could “leapfrog to the front of the queue” for the front man. The report states “there are doubts” over whether Liverpool will make a push for him as their priority is to sort a new contract for Mohamed Salah. It is said Eintracht Frankfurt “will hold out” to bank as much as £50 million for their star man as they are keen to hang on to him.
On the move
Former Red Ben Brereton Diaz could be on the move again, just a few months after he signed for Southampton from Villarreal. The 25-year-old is yet to get on the scoresheet this season and it seems a return to familiar territory could be on the cards.
According to Sky Sports, Sheffield United are keen to have the Chile international back at Bramall Lane. He spent the second half of last season on loan with the Blades and hit six goals in 14 appearances. United wanted to sign Brereton Diaz permanently after his loan spell had ended but he opted for a move to the south coast instead when he left Villarreal.
