Nottingham Forest are going to be busy trying to do a deal for a forward or two in the coming weeks.
Anthony Elanga is being sold to Newcastle and that leaves Forest desperately short in the final third of the pitch when it comes to explosive pace.
In short, it’s a shame that Elanga is leaving and that Forest have decided it’s in their best interests to cash in on such an important player.
Ramon Sosa is also leaving Forest for Palmeiras and when it comes to the attacking options, Nuno Espirito Santo’s squad is looking light.
Igor Jesus has checked in from Botafogo and now, it would appear as though the recruitment team are working overtime to get new players to the club.
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Nottingham Forest want Pepe
Forest are going to get linked with a host of wingers now and perhaps these things should be taken with a sizeable helping of salt.
According to ESPN, it’s believed that Forest are now in pole position to bring Pepe to the City Ground, with a price of £22 million set for his services.
Pepe scored at the recent Club World Cup but has found things rough in the Portuguese top-flight with Porto, scoring six goals and claiming four assists from 45 appearances last season.
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As a right-winger, naturally, the consensus will be that he can replace Elanga, but his addition to the ranks would be largely underwhelming.
In 192 appearances for Porto, he’s scored 25 times and registered 30 assists, while the player can also operate on the left-hand side.
Forest need to think big with Elanga replacement
It’s quite hard to imagine a counter-attacking Forest team playing without Elanga, such has been his importance in that particular system.
With that in mind, he’s not going to be easy to replace and signing a 28-year-old player who hasn’t really set any league alight that he’s played in will hardly appease the fan base.
Pepe is a Brazilian and perhaps given the contingent of players from that country already at Forest, this is an easy link to create in the wake of Elanga departing.
Johan Bakayoko remains a Forest target and a player with an abundance of potential, such as him would be far more exciting than a link to Porto star Pepe.