Nottingham Forest are pushing to sign midfielder Yunus Musah from AC Milan, who could be a valuable squad player for Nuno Espírito Santo.
After Nottingham Forest News revealed that Forest have been offered Musah, the conversation turned to what the USA international could offer the squad.
It’s not the first time that the two parties have been linked. Forest bid for Musah in 2022, but had Valencia rebut their approach at the time.
With his time in Milan looking to be coming to an end, though, the Reds could look to finally complete the signing of a player who would benefit the Forest squad in three different areas.
AC Milan midfielder Yunus Musah.
Photo by Francesco Scaccianoce/Getty Images
Three problems Yunus Musah could solve for Nottingham Forest
Extra drive in central midfield
Espírito Santo is targeting four positions to improve the balance of his squad, with another central midfielder among the shortlist.
Not only is Musah a natural in this position, but he also offers attributes that only Elliot Anderson can truly match in the squad, excelling in:
Progressive carries (2.90 per game)
Carries into the final third (2.31 per game)
This would add an additional attacking dimension to Espírito Santo’s midfield pair, at the very least offering a more natural alternative to Anderson should the Englishman be unavailable.
Depth out wide
The very same ability to carry the ball himself makes Musah an option in a wide role, something that he wouldn’t be unfamiliar with.
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According to Transfermarkt, Musah has featured 43 times as a right midfielder in his career, including eight times for AC Milan last season.
It's a fantastic first senior goal from Yunus Musah! 👏
What a moment for the 17-year-old Englishman as he gives Valencia the lead 🦇 pic.twitter.com/0hcqb1U8i4
— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) November 1, 2020
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Given that the Forest manager wants to sign two wingers this summer, having someone like Musah in the squad would provide peace of mind that the position would at least be covered.
Musah would also provide greater tactical flexibility as Transfermarkt showed that Nicolas Dominguez featured five times on the right last season, so the addition of Musah would prove useful should Nuno want to utilise a more defensively sound option out wide who can still offer a threat.
Emergency cover at right back
Ola Aina will continue to be Forest’s first choice right back, with young Eric da Silva Moreira the only alternative in the squad.
In case of emergency, though, Musah has also featured sparingly as a right back in his time in Italy, which could be especially useful if Nuno ever adopts a five at the back system.
This ability to adapt to different positions was a big reason why former Milan boss Stefano Pioli was a big fan of Musah’s, waxing lyrical about the American in a press conference in 2023.
He said: “Musah can play in all three positions. He has different characteristics from [Rade] Krunić and [Yacine] Adli, and he is able to penetrate when he plays further forward. He has qualities that we will need a lot; he is a complete player, and wherever I use him, he will be important for the team.”
Clearly capable of filling in, then, Musah’s versatility would be a brilliant asset to the Forest coaching staff should a deal be completed for the 22-year-old.