Nottingham Forest are still looking to make a statement addition after the impending arrival of Arnaud Kalimuendo.
Forest have agreed a deal to sign Arnaud Kalimuendo from Stade Rennais, with the French striker having already agreed personal terms.
The two clubs have found an agreement around the £25m mark, so clearly Kalimuendo is joining as a starter.
What that means for fellow summer arrival Igor Jesus remains to be seen, but either way, Nottingham Forest are showing serious ambition.
And now, Evangelos Marinakis and his chiefs are plotting a move for a £50m player.
Southampton midfielder Mateus Fernandes.
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Nottingham Forest have Mateus Fernandes ‘high’ up on transfer shortlist
Nottingham Forest have shown an interest in Mateus Fernandes for much of the summer transfer window.
Following Southampton’s relegation to the Championship, it’s become apparent that Fernandes and Tyler Dibling are the two main assets who could be sold.
West Ham United have recently had a £30m bid rejected for the 21-year-old, with Saints demanding bids closer to the £50m.
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Southampton have rejected an offer from West Ham United for midfielder Mateus Fernandes.
The bid worth up to £30million including add-ons fell considerably short of the Championship club’s valuation and was turned down without a counter proposal.
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That’s now put Forest off, though, as according to John Percy of the Telegraph, Fernandes remains ‘high’ up on Nuno’s list.
Perhaps the Tricky Trees will test the waters with a bid over the coming days, with Marinakis ready to sanction a spending spree following confirmation they’ll be in the Europa League next season.
Fernandes wants to return to the Premier League
Personal terms aren’t expected to be an issue as Percy reports that Fernandes is keen on a return to the Premier League.
The wantaway Southampton midfielder started on the bench in their Championship opener against Wrexham, so clearly the club recognise a sale could materialise.
Usually, when a club decides to bench a key asset, it’s because they don’t want to risk an injury if a substantial sale is in the pipeline.
Forest are unlikely to meet their £50m valuation, however, perhaps an offer in the region of £40m could be enough to strike an agreement.
The South Coasters have already had to reduce their asking price for Dibling after Everton walked away from the deal.