Yahoo News Nottingham Forest rejected by €30m midfielder for second time so return to alternative target
The latest transfer speculation suggests Nottingham Forest are seeking to bolster their midfield ahead of the upcoming Premier League campaign.
To this end, Nuno Espirito Santo has already managed to find some reinforcement. Elliot Anderson was recruited from Newcastle United for £35m, whilst Marko Stamenic was signed from Red Star Belgrade before immediately being loaned to sister club Olympiacos.
But so far they do not match Forest's outgoings, with Orel Mangala, Remo Freuler and Cheikhou Kouyate leaving particularly the defensive area of the engine room lightly-manned. Numerous attempts have been made since returning to the Premier League to purchase someone who can oversee that area for years to come, but all have ended fruitless to date.
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With that said, Nottinghamshire Live brings you the latest on this busy week of news and transfer gossip...
A second Youssouf Fofana rejection in as many years
Nottingham Forest have reportedly been snubbed by Youssouf Fofana once before, now the same fate looks to have befallen them again.
When Steve Cooper attempted to sign AS Monaco's defensive midfielder last summer, the response was a full-on dig at his suitors. "I want to go somewhere where I can continue to play for the French national team, and if we take Nottingham Forest, Fulham and AS Monaco, naturally I’ll stay at ASM," he told Canal+.
Now it appears the Frenchman is to get his wish, having agreed personal terms in preparation for a switch to Italian giants AC Milan. But, Fabrizio Romano claims, not before Forest went back in for the midfielder with a recent €30m (£25m) proposal.
This is said to have been flat out refused by Monaco, who are now fully engaged with Milan over the transfer.
Nottinghamshire Live says: Whilst he is a talented individual, one rejection - and such a brutal one at that - should have been enough for Forest to turn their back on Fofana and look elsewhere. Disrespect is a part of life, yes, but there are plenty more players out there who would do anything for the chance to play in the Premier League he was presented with last year and reportedly again now too. No amount of quality matters if the commitment isn't there to match.
Florentino Luis put up for sale
Whilst missing out on Fofana, Jornal de Noticias' latest story suggests that Forest remain in the race for Florentino Luis - another defensive midfielder who has repeatedly been mooted for a City Ground switch after a rejected bid last summer.
Nuno could finally land his fellow Portuguese national with Benfica now said to be open to selling in the summer 2024 transfer window. This is because manager Roger Schmidt has conceded he cannot guarantee the 24-year-old a starting place in his side, leaving his future 'uncertain'.
And so, Luis is said to be on the market now for the same fee that Forest reportedly had rejected for Fofana - €30m (£25m). Premier League rivals Everton and Leicester City - now managed by Cooper, of course - are both reportedly also keeping tabs.
Nottinghamshire Live says: And here is the perfect example of an alternative to Fofana. A story last month from Correio da Manha made the claim that Luis was fully invested in the idea of joining Forest, so this is the man they need to go for. At 24 he already has a wealth of experience and is on the verge of hitting his prime years, as is typically believed in this sport, and to the club's advantage his signing appears to be going under the radar amongst other teams who are instead chasing team-mate Joao Neves.
