Nottingham Forest are said to have their eye on young Besiktas striker Semih Kilicsoy as they look ahead to the summer transfer window.
Bolstering head coach Nuno Espirito Santo’s options up front will be a top priority for the Reds come the end of the season. Adding a forward to the ranks has been on the agenda for the past two transfer windows but without success.
As the only two out-and-out front men on the books, Chris Wood and Taiwo Awoniyi will carry Forest through until May as Nuno’s side chase Champions League football. But regardless of where the Reds finish in the Premier League table, changes will be made to the squad ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
According to CaughtOffside, Kilicsoy is on Forest’s radar as they scour the market for attacking talent. The 19-year-old was linked with a switch to the City Ground in January but he ended up staying put in Turkey.
It seems there could be a battle to secure his signature in the summer as a number of teams are said to be keen on the teenager. Scouts from Premier League clubs have reportedly watched him in action recently, with Fulham and Everton also among his list of admirers.
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However, Newcastle United and Aston Villa are said to be “leading the race” to snap him up. A €20 million (£17m) price tag has been placed on his head, with Besiktas “willing to accept offers” of around that fee.
Turkish newspaper Sabah (via Sport Witness) have suggested Villa are expected to make a third bid for the Turkey international after failing to sign him last summer. They add Newcastle could also do a deal for around €15m (£12.5m).
Kilicsoy has scored four goals in 35 appearances this season for Besiktas, across the league and Europa League. He was in terrific form last term as he found the net 12 times from 30 games in league and European competition.
In December, Besiktas president Huseyin Yucel discussed the interest from Villa in Kilicsoy last summer. He said Forest’s Premier League rivals had proposed including left-back Alex Moreno - currently on a season-long loan Trentside - in a swap deal.
Yucel said: “Aston Villa made an offer for Semih Kilicsoy. Monchi’s first offer was 12 million euros (£10m). Then, it increased to 15 million euros (£12.5m). Semih would also play for our team for one year.
“They also asked me whether I wanted Diego Carlos or Alex Moreno. I couldn’t get this accepted. Fifteen million euros is too little.”
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