Nottingham Forest have received a response after submitting multiple offers for their ‘brilliant’ star, revealing his stance on a move to the City Ground.
Forest could be busy until the end of the transfer window
Sean Dyche confirmed Forest are considering additions in a variety of areas before the February 2 deadline, saying: “As I have said all along, this is a trading club and we have always made it clear that we are considering options in a variety of positions.”
“The full-back is one of those players who is more of a left-back situation than anything else. We’re trying to be proactive and strengthen where we can when we can.”
With the signing of a new right-back on the table, Napoli’s Matias Olivera has emerged as a target, with the Uruguayan potentially following Lorenzo Lucca to the City Ground.
However, despite Lucca’s arrival, Tricky Trees are keen to sign a new striker who can help provide security, with Jean-Philippe Mateta emerging as one of their main targets, with it revealed they would be willing to pay £35m for the Frenchman.
A new update has been released regarding Nottingham Forest’s signing of Mateta, with multiple bids rejected by Crystal Palace.
Forest have already agreed personal terms with the striker, but they have yet to meet Palace’s asking price of £40m.
The 28-year-old wants to leave Palace, who are now close to signing his replacement after reaching agreement in principle with Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Jorgen Strand Larsen.
New Anderson: Nottingham Forest vie to sign ‘one of Europe’s best commercials’
Nottingham Forest are poised to make an impact in the final stages of the January transfer window.
However, they may still choose to keep their star striker until the summer and there are doubts as to whether he would be keen on a move to the City Ground as his desire is to move to a bigger club.
‘Superior’ Mateta may be able to safely help fight forest fires
Nottingham Forest’s failure to sign a new striker probably won’t be a disaster, given that Igor Jesus has scored nine goals in all competitions this season and they recently signed Lucca on loan until the end of the season.
However, although the Napoli loanee has no Premier League experience, Mateta has proven himself with the Eagles over the years, scoring an astonishing 17 goals in all competitions for the Eagles last season.
During the 2024-25 season, the France international was praised by talkSPORT pundit Scott Minto as “excellent”, with Gaby Agbonlahor also praising his pace and finishing.
Mateta will be tested in the Premier League and could be a smart addition to Dyche’s side, with Forest in a precarious position just five points adrift of the bottom three.
