Striker Akpom may be on move and Reds linked to winger
BUT SAMARDZIC COULD BE OUT OF FOREST’S REACH
LESS than a month from the start of the new Premier League campaign, Nottingham Forest are slowly but surely strengthening.
So far five new signings have been confirmed, the latest of them Nikola Milenkovic from Fiorentina. The 26-year-old central defender slots straight into Nuno Espirito Santo’s squad.
“We have some (signings) and the squad is not closed yet,” said the Forest head coach. “We still have aspects to decide.”
Here is a look at the state of play for Forest and current transfer speculation:
■Done deal
Nottingham Forest have announced the signing of midfielder Shae Cahill, who will move straight into the club’s B Team.
The 19-year-old, who most recently played in Australia for Brisbane Roar, arrives on a two-year contract with the option to extend for an additional year.
He has headed out to Spain to link up with Forest’s B Team in this summer’s pre-season training camp.
Cahill said: “I’m so happy and excited to start this next chapter with Nottingham Forest. I want to thank everyone at the club and my family for supporting me.
“My goals are to train hard and to dedicate myself to being the best I can be, making both my family and the football club proud.”
■Forest look to repeat transfer trick
Forest are said to have put forward a bid for Brazilian teenager Riquelme Fillipi.
The Reds have utilised the South American market in recent transfer windows and it seems they are looking to that part of the world again as they continue their summer shopping.
Riquelme is currently part of Palmeiras’ youth set-up and is yet to make his debut at senior level. But that hasn’t stopped the 17-year-old attracting plenty of attention.
Porto and PSG are said to have made contact with his club in recent weeks after eyeing up the wingercum-striker. However, Forest are said to have taken matters a step further.
According to Brazilian media outlet UOL, the Reds have made an offer of EUR5M (£4.2m) for the youngster. Negotiations are said to be continuing and it is said “the deal has progressed positively”
■Akpom gives Reds hope
Striker Chuba Akpom has hinted he would be open to a move away from Ajax this summer amid reported interest from Forest.
The Reds are in need of more firepower as they look to progress this season. Nuno wants more wide options but adding another forward before the window closes would not go amiss.
Forest were linked with Akpom during the January window but were unable to do a deal with Ajax. However, according to allnigeriasoccer. com, they have their eye on the 28-year-old once again.
And with speculation about his future resurfacing, the forward has suggested he might consider head
ing elsewhere. Akpom has made clear he is eager for regular game time.
“What I have learned in the course of my career is to just keep focusing on football. If you start thinking about things outside the field, you get distracted,” he told NOS (via Dutch media outlet Soccer News).
■Winger on Reds radar?
Forest are said to be eyeing up AC Milan winger Alexis Saelemaekers according to reports in Italy. However, they are not the only English side keeping tabs on the 25-year-old. Calciomercato report the “Premier League is crazy” about Saelemaekers.
In addition to Forest, newly-promoted Leicester City and Ipswich Town are also credited with an interest in the Belgium international. All three clubs are said to have been in touch with Milan to ask for information on the player.
■Midfielder rejects Reds move
Forest appear to have reignited their interest in Udinese midfielder Lazar Samardzic this summer. The Reds were linked with the 22-yearold 12 months ago. And although the transfer talk has emerged again, any attempts to lure him to the City Ground seem to have been thwarted. According to journalist Nicolo Schira on X, Samardzic has “turned down” bids from Forest and Fenerbahce. It is said the £16m-rated Serbia international wants to play in the Champions League this coming season.
The update comes after Sky Sports Italia (via Football Italia) reported the Reds were keen on Samardzic. Lazio and Inter Milan have also been linked.