{"id":41214,"date":"2026-02-04T05:31:15","date_gmt":"2026-02-04T10:31:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/02\/04\/nottingham-forest-must-regret-selling-a-5m-striker-who-has-outperformed-mateta\/"},"modified":"2026-02-04T05:31:15","modified_gmt":"2026-02-04T10:31:15","slug":"nottingham-forest-must-regret-selling-a-5m-striker-who-has-outperformed-mateta","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/02\/04\/nottingham-forest-must-regret-selling-a-5m-striker-who-has-outperformed-mateta\/","title":{"rendered":"Nottingham Forest must regret selling a \u00a35m striker who has outperformed Mateta."},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_74 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/02\/04\/nottingham-forest-must-regret-selling-a-5m-striker-who-has-outperformed-mateta\/#How_close_Nottingham_Forest_were_to_signing_Mateta\" >How close Nottingham Forest were to signing Mateta<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/02\/04\/nottingham-forest-must-regret-selling-a-5m-striker-who-has-outperformed-mateta\/#Former_Forest_striker_still_outperforms_Mateta_after_leaving_the_club\" >Former Forest striker still outperforms Mateta after leaving the club<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/02\/04\/nottingham-forest-must-regret-selling-a-5m-striker-who-has-outperformed-mateta\/#Nottingham_Forest_struck_gold_by_signing_Cooper_who_is_worth_more_than_Engels\" >Nottingham Forest struck gold by signing Cooper, who is worth more than Engels.<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<div>\n<p>Nottingham Forest have struggled mightily to score goals during the 2025\/26 Premier League season, which has undoubtedly kept the club locked in a relegation battle.<\/p>\n<p>    <!-- No AdsNinja v10 Client! --><!-- No AdsNinja v10 Client! --><\/p>\n<p>Sean Dyche&#8217;s side have scored just 24 points in 24 league games so far, with attacking midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White currently top scorer with six goals.<\/p>\n<p>No center forward has scored more than two goals in a league match this season, and goalkeeper Chris Wood has been out injured since last season after undergoing knee surgery.<\/p>\n<p>    Igor Jesus and Taiwo Awoniyi have only scored three goals combined in the top flight, underscoring the challenges the manager has had to deal with since taking over.<\/p>\n<p>Lorenzo Lucca was called up to the City Ground to improve the situation, but the Italian was not the only attacker to catch their attention in January.<\/p>\n<p><!-- No AdsNinja v10 Client! --><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"how-close-nottingham-forest-came-to-signing-mateta\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_close_Nottingham_Forest_were_to_signing_Mateta\"><\/span>\n                        <strong>How close Nottingham Forest were to signing Mateta<\/strong><br \/>\n               <span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>In a bid to bring in a new centre-forward this winter, Forest manager has named Crystal Palace star Jean-Philippe Mateta as an option that could improve his squad.<\/p>\n<p>The Frenchman has expressed his desire to leave Selhurst Park in January, leading to the 28-year-old submitting a transfer request in a bid to force a move.<\/p>\n<p>    As a result, the Reds offered him around \u00a335m for his services, but such an offer fell short of Oliver Glasner&#8217;s valuation of around \u00a340m.<\/p>\n<p>Mateta had even agreed personal terms with Diche&#8217;s men for the transfer, until AC Milan burst into the race and took the lead, agreeing to leave in recognition of his achievements.<\/p>\n<p>The player traveled to Italy for a medical check with the Italian national team, but a knee injury was noted during the medical test, so the transfer did not materialize.<\/p>\n<p>    <!-- No AdsNinja v10 Client! --><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"former-forest-striker-is-outscoring-mateta-after-leaving\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Former_Forest_striker_still_outperforms_Mateta_after_leaving_the_club\"><\/span>\n                        <strong>Former Forest striker still outperforms Mateta after leaving the club<\/strong><br \/>\n               <span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Given the big rumors about attacking reinforcements in January, the Forest faithful will no doubt be disappointed by the lack of additions within the final third.<\/p>\n<p>Lucca has yet to make his debut at the City Ground, but his lack of Premier League experience certainly makes him a somewhat risky addition to the squad this winter.<\/p>\n<p>    It is also unclear whether the Italian will become a regular starter under Diche, or whether the manager will stick close to Jesus and provide supplies in front of goal.<\/p>\n<p>Mateta would have definitely been an upgrade to our attacking options, with the Frenchman already having scored eight league goals in 2025\/26.<\/p>\n<p>However, the club may have made a mistake in allowing former striker Sam Surridge to move to the East Midlands, given his form away from the City Ground in recent years.<\/p>\n<p>The Englishman made a total of 50 appearances for the Reds after joining for \u00a32 million from Stoke City in January 2022.<\/p>\n<p>    The 27-year-old scored 11 goals in 18 months in the East Midlands, often helping the Reds return to the Premier League.<\/p>\n<p>However, in his first season back in the top flight, he was often seen as a bit-part player under manager Steve Cooper, before completing a \u00a35 million move to MLS side Nashville SC in 2023.<\/p>\n<p>Since then, Surridge has played 88 games for the American club, scoring 51 goals, and then showed great ability in front of goal.<\/p>\n<p>During his most recent season in MLS, the 27-year-old scored 31 goals in 40 appearances, with only iconic player Lionel Messi scoring more goals.<\/p>\n<div class=\"table-container\">\n<table border=\"1\" cellpadding=\"1\" cellspacing=\"1\" style=\"\" align=\"\" summary=\"\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th colspan=\"2\" scope=\"col\" style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>Sam Surridge&#8217;s stats since leaving Forest<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>Statistics (per 90 people)<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<th style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>tally<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>games played<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p><strong>88<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>Number of points scored<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p><strong>51<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>assist<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p><strong>8<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>minutes per goal<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p><strong>137<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>minutes per assist<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p><strong>877<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>yellow card<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p><strong>12<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>penalty scored<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p><strong>6<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>missed a penalty<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p><strong>0<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th colspan=\"2\" style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>Statistics via Transfermarkt<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n<p>Surridge has reached astronomical levels since leaving the City Ground, and it has since become clear that the club made a mistake in letting him leave.<\/p>\n<p>Mateta has found the back of the net just 22 times in the past 18 months, but the former Forest star has scored a further nine goals, and his clinical acumen has continued to shine through in MLS. He was simply amazing, with teammate Daniel Lovitz praising him as &#8220;a really dangerous guy to play against&#8221; after scoring a hat trick in a 3-2 win over the New England Revolution.<\/p>\n<p>There is no doubt that he has shown the goal-scoring talent needed to get the Reds out of their current situation, and the bosses will no doubt regret the decision to let him leave.<\/p>\n<p>Considering his recent exploits in America, \u00a35 million seems like a very low price, but that loss could be returned at the end of the season.<\/p>\n<div class=\"display-card  article article-card small  no-badge  active-content                      \" data-include-community-rating=\"false\" id=\"nottingham-forest-hit-gold-on-dominguez-worth-more-than-engels\" data-nosnippet=\"\">\n<picture><source media=\"(max-width: 480px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.footballfancastimages.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/arne-engels-celtic-champions-league.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=140&amp;h=98&amp;dpr=2\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.footballfancastimages.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/arne-engels-celtic-champions-league.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=140&amp;h=98&amp;dpr=2\"\/>\n        <\/picture>\n<p>                    <span data-field=\"label\" class=\"article-card-label\"><label>related<\/label><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"w-display-card-content regular article-block\">\n<h5 class=\"display-card-title \"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Nottingham_Forest_struck_gold_by_signing_Cooper_who_is_worth_more_than_Engels\"><\/span>\n<p>\t\t\tNottingham Forest struck gold by signing Cooper, who is worth more than Engels.<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h5>\n<p class=\"display-card-excerpt\">Nottingham Forest may have missed out on Arne Engels, but they brought gold to another player.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Nottingham Forest have struggled mightily to score goals during the 2025\/26 Premier League season, which has undoubtedly kept the club locked in a relegation battle. Sean Dyche&#8217;s side have scored just 24 points in 24 league games so far, with attacking midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White currently top scorer with six goals. No center forward has scored [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":41215,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[40,615,4170,614,8646,6102,945,266],"class_list":{"0":"post-41214","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-football","8":"tag-football","9":"tag-forest","10":"tag-mateta","11":"tag-nottingham","12":"tag-outperformed","13":"tag-regret","14":"tag-selling","15":"tag-striker"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41214","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=41214"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41214\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/41215"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=41214"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=41214"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=41214"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}