Nottingham Forest are poised to demand an 'astronomical' fee for star attacker Omari Hutchinson this summer as Arsenal, Chelsea and Newcastle linger, according to a new report.
Forest poised to appoint Vitor Pereira as new manager
Away from the transfer front, Evangelos Marinakis has decided to appoint Vitor Pereira as his replacement for Sean Dyche, with the Tricky Trees closing in on their fourth manager of the campaign.
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Vitor Pereira
A deal is on the verge of being agreed, and the ex-Wolves boss is set to be in the dugout for Forest's looming clash against Fenerbache in the Europa League.
The Portuguese boss inherits a club potentially facing enormous summer transfer upheaval alongside their desperate relegation scrap.
Pereira emerged as the overwhelming favourite replacing Dyche after Wednesday's goalless draw against basement boys Wolves proved the final straw for Marinakis.
The 57-year-old tactician previously worked under Marinakis at Olympiakos, delivering a league and cup double 11 years ago - credentials which make him the standout candidate despite his torrid recent Wolves spell.
Wolves PEREIRA Related
Marinakis wanted 'master' Premier League manager at Nottingham Forest over Pereira
The Tricky Trees have been considering more than one new boss.
Forest decided to sack Dyche after just 114 days despite the former Everton boss posting superior numbers compared to predecessors Nuno Espírito Santo and Ange Postecoglou combined.
The decision leaves Forest in a precarious position, welcoming another transition period under new leadership yet again whilst languishing in 17th, just three points above the Championship trapdoor with 12 games remaining.
Pereira's immediate task involves steadying a ship threatening to sink spectacularly, yet complications loom beyond simply avoiding relegation disaster.
Nottingham Forest set 'astronomical' Hutchinson price tag amid rival interest
According to Sportsboom, several Premier League giants are circling Forest's crown jewel, Hutchinson, amid the club's perilous league position.
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Arsenal, Chelsea and Newcastle have all dispatched scouts to monitor the 22-year-old closely following his club-record £37.5 million summer arrival from Ipswich.
Borussia Dortmund also sent representatives to run the rule over Hutchinson during recent City Ground fixtures, reviving interest that initially surfaced last summer before his Forest switch.
However, Forest hierarchy won't entertain selling their prized asset cheaply.
Evangelos Marinakis
Sportboom claim Marinakis will demand an 'astronomical' fee exceeding £55-60 million before even considering offers, nearly double what Forest paid to acquire Hutchinson barely six months ago.
With his contract running until June 2030, Forest hold total negotiating leverage despite their current struggles.
Hutchinson's modest statistics, just one goal and five assists across 20 appearances with only nine starts, haven't deterred suitors impressed by his development potential and technical quality.
His creativity remains evident despite limited opportunities, though relegation would undoubtedly trigger a departure regardless of Forest's astronomical valuation.
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Wednesday's Wolves stalemate epitomised Forest's attacking impotence. 35 shots without scoring represented the most attempts of any Premier League side without netting since Man United's 38-shot blank against Burnley in October 2016.
Forest desperately need Pereira working miracles immediately, otherwise that near-£60 million Hutchinson valuation becomes completely irrelevant in the Championship.
Vitor Pereira Related
[Nottingham Forest chasing Pereira upgrade who's "one of the best in the PL"](https://www.footballfancast.com/nottingham-forest-chasing-pereira-upgrade-marco-silva/ "Nottingham Forest chasing Pereira upgrade who's "one of the best in the PL"")
Nottingham Forest are on the hunt for a fourth manager of the season.