Nottingham Forest will undoubtedly be going in search of new players in the summer, with the club’s scouting network currently overseeing games around the globe.
Forest are hoping to sign a new striker or two, with Evangelos Marinakis trying desperately to land a new forward in the January transfer window with no success at the mid-way stage of the campaign.
Chris Wood has scored 20 goals this season but at 33-years-old, it’s hard to imagine him playing quite so many games during the 2025/26 campaign, with Nuno Espirito Santo seeking more strikers in his squad.
However, strikers won’t be the only area of the pitch in need of reinforcements and it would appear that central midfielders are on the agenda once the window gets into full swing this summer.
Photo by Franco Arland/Getty Images
Photo by Franco Arland/Getty Images
Nottingham Forest want Habib Diarra
It’s not the first time that Forest have been linked with the central midfielder and now it would appear that three Premier League clubs are all eyeing a move for the performer.
According to The Sun (18/05, page 55), Forest have sent scouts to watch Diarra in action this season with the representatives joined by Everton and Aston Villa over the course of the campaign.
Strasbourg have already turned down £15 million from Eintracht Frankfurt for the player and it will take a significant increase in that offer should he leave the Ligue 1 outfit in the summer, with the club valuing the midfielder at £25 million.
Forest have a plethora of midfield options in their ranks right now. Ibrahim Sangare, Ryan Yates, Nicolas Dominguez and Danilo have all been rotated alongside the immovable Elliot Anderson during the current season.
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With that in mind, a new midfielder does feel curious and perhaps Espirito Santo will be shipping some players out of the engine room before the new campaign gets underway in August.
Habib Diarra stats 2024/25
The Senegalese performer will undoubtedly be a wanted man in the summer transfer window and it would appear that Forest have positioned themselves in the race for his signature.
Strasbourg don’t need to sell the player with his contract not due to expire in France until 2028, having only signed a new one in 2023.
Habib Diarra stats 2024/25 Total
Appearances 33
Goals 4
Assists 5
Diarra has been in great form this season but with European football now out of reach for Strasbourg, the player might not fancy another season of not playing in one of those competitions.
Forest would surely have to ship some midfielders on if they’re to add to that area of the pitch and ultimately, it will now be fascinating to see what might take place with Diarra when the window does open.