Latest Nottingham Forest transfer news as Steve Cooper’s Reds linked with summer move for Chelsea man
ottingham Forest have been linked with Chelsea defender Ian Maatsen as they eye reinforcements at the back.
The Reds are yet to welcome any new additions so far this summer. However, head coach Steve Cooper said at the weekend they are “close” to getting some business done.
Left-back is one area in need of particular attention ahead of the new Premier League season, and Maatsen is said to be on Forest’s radar as a result.
The 21-year-old’s future at Stamford Bridge is in doubt as he seeks regular game time amid some tough competition for a place in the Stamford Bridge team. The suggestion is his preference is to fight for minutes with the Blues, but he also has no shortage of potential suitors – including the Reds.
Forest have “expressed interest” in him in recent weeks, according to The Athletic. West Ham United, Benfica and Wolfsburg are also said to be keen on the Dutchman.
However, Burnley are said to remain favourites to re-sign him on loan after he impressed at Turf Moor last season. The newly-promoted side have so far “declined to meet” Chelsea’s £20 million asking price to take him on a permanent basis.
Maatsen featured 42 times in all competitions for the Clarets as they claimed the Championship title. He has had previous loan spells at Coventry City and Charlton Athletic.
The left-back spot is up for grabs at the City Ground for the new season. Renan Lodi made it his own last term, but the end of his loan spell – and subsequent move to Marseille – means there is a vacancy in the XI.
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Cooper has Omar Richards and Harry Toffolo on the books, while Neco Williams is also capable of playing on that flank. However, it is an area Forest do need to strengthen.
Toffolo is currently injured and has been charged by the Football Association over alleged betting rules breaches. Meanwhile, Richards is still awaiting his debut in the Garibaldi after being sidelined since last summer.
“You want quality coming in,” Cooper has said. “We need players to come in and affect the starting team, affect the playing style and who can make a difference.
“Renan was a starting player for us last season. We lost a goalkeeper and a left-back because they were loans. We need to replace that to get back to where we finished last season, then hopefully move some players in and move some players out, and make us stronger. That’s what we’re looking to do.”
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