Yahoo News Nottingham Forest 'request' as transfer battle for £12m-rated Euros ace stepped up
Nottingham Forest are said to be eyeing up Slovenia international Jaka Bijol on the back of his impressive performances at Euro 2024.
The Udinese defender has plenty of admirers after starring for his country in Germany. If the Reds do pursue their interest, they could have a fight on their hands to secure his signature.
According to Sportitalia (via Football Italia), Forest have made a “request for information” about Bijol. Inter Milan, Wolfsburg and Stuttgart also reportedly have him on their radar, while Aston Villa, Bologna, Napoli and Lazio have previously been linked.
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The 25-year-old has three years left to run on his contract with Udinese, who he joined from CSKA Moscow in 2022. The Italian outfit are said to want at least €10m to €15m (£8m to £12.5m) for the centre-back.
Strengthening Nuno Espirito Santo’s central defensive ranks is a priority for Forest in the remainder of the summer transfer window. It is an area where they are light on resources, and there is still uncertainty about Brazilian Murillo’s future at the club.
The Reds have already sold Moussa Niakhate to Lyon and released Felipe, Scott McKenna and Loic Mbe Soh at the end of their contracts. Joe Worrall and Jonathan Panzo are also expected to depart before the window closes on August 30. It leaves Murillo, Willy Boly and Andrew Omobamidele as the options available to Nuno - and Murillo has no shortage of suitors.
The Reds being credited with an interest in Bijol follows former Slovenia international Miran Pavlin saying he hds accepted a role at the City Ground. The 52-year-old, who has worked with the Slovenian FA as director of the national teams for the past four years, recently told media in his homeland he would take up the role of technical director Trentside on July 15.
Forest have made four signings so far this summer. Goalkeeper Carlos Miguel put pen to paper from Corinthians this week, joining Eric da Silva Moreira and Elliot Anderson in linking up with Nuno’s squad, with fellow new arrival Marko Stamenic due to spend the season on loan at Olympiacos.
