Nottingham Forest has officially launched a bid to secure a Premier League standout as they simultaneously continue high-stakes negotiations for Crystal Palace forward Jean-Philippe Mateta, per the latest BBC reporting.
Forest pursue Mateta as Dyche hunts for a second forward
Even after finalizing a loan for Napoli’s Lorenzo Lucca earlier this month, manager Sean Dyche remains determined to recruit another traditional striker. This urgency stems from a potential season-ending injury to Chris Wood, which has left a significant void in the Reds’ attacking line.
The City Ground hierarchy believes their bids for Mateta have been competitive—with the opening offer rumored to be in the region of £35 million—yet Crystal Palace is refusing to budge on their £40 million asking price. Oliver Glasner’s team has already prepared for a future without Mateta by completing a club-record £50 million signing of Wolves’ Jorgen Strand Larsen, but Forest isn’t the only club monitoring the Frenchman.
Media outlets in Italy suggest that Tottenham might join the race for Mateta, especially as Juventus attempts to lure Randal Kolo Muani away from his loan spell in North London. Despite this looming competition for the 28-year-old, Forest appears to be the frontrunner, having already reached an agreement on personal terms with the player. This situation is expected to trigger a major transfer “domino effect” among Premier League clubs as the window draws to a close.
Dyche’s ambitions extend beyond just the forward line, however. The club has reportedly held discussions regarding Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa to strengthen their defensive options, and BBC journalist Sami Mokbel now reports that an official offer has been made for Brighton midfielder Yasin Ayari.
Nottingham Forest lodge bid for Brighton’s Yasin Ayari
Ayari has seen his stock rise significantly on the south coast following his £3.5 million arrival from AIK Stockholm two years ago. The 22-year-old Swedish international has netted six goals in 66 games for Brighton, proving his worth under various coaching regimes at the Amex.
Brighton boss Fabian Hürzeler has described the youngster as a “very important” asset to the squad, following successful developmental loan spells in the Championship with Coventry City and Blackburn Rovers. Despite Ayari’s growing status, Mokbel indicates that Forest’s pursuit is likely to end in frustration.
The Seagulls are reportedly poised to reject Forest’s £20 million offer for the versatile midfielder. While the Reds have designated Ayari as a primary target before Monday’s deadline, Brighton has expressed no desire to sell. This leaves Forest with a choice: return with a significantly higher valuation or pivot to other targets.
Forest’s late-window aggression is fueled by their current struggle to stay clear of the relegation zone. Dyche is acutely aware that immediate additions are necessary to preserve the club’s top-flight status, but Brighton’s firm stance means the City Ground leadership is now in a frantic race against the clock to bolster the squad.
