With the summer transfer window slamming shut at 11 pm on September 1st, Nottingham Forest are working frantically behind the scenes to put the final touches on Oliver Glasner’s squad. As the deadline draws agonizingly close, the transfer rumour mill has shifted into high gear at the City Ground, with the Reds heavily linked to both a high-profile European midfielder and an electrifying teenage sensation.
Reds “Leading the Race” for Barcelona Midfielder Marc Casado
The most eye-catching rumor doing the rounds involves Barcelona midfielder Marc Casado. Forest were initially credited with an interest in the 22-year-old earlier in the summer after having an initial bid knocked back, but links have dramatically re-emerged as the deadline approaches.
According to TEAMtalk, Nottingham Forest are currently “leading the race” for his signature. However, competition for the Spaniard is fierce. Reports from Spain via Sport Witness indicate that Benfica, AC Milan, an unnamed Turkish club, and multiple outfits from the Middle East are also circling. Saudi Arabian heavyweights Al-Hilal and Al-Ahli have reportedly tabled lucrative offers in the region of €40m (£34m).
Barcelona are said to be urgently looking to offload the player to cash in to the tune of at least €30m (£25m), leaving Casado to mull over his future with a clear preference to remain in Europe. Alongside Forest, TEAMtalk notes that contact has been made with Newcastle United, Aston Villa, Brighton, and Sunderland regarding his availability.
While adding a midfielder of Casado’s pedigree would normally be a no-brainer, Forest correspondent Sarah Clapson points out that manager Oliver Glasner’s priorities may lie elsewhere. With James McAtee demonstrating during pre-season that he can comfortably operate in a deeper role, the club’s central midfield search had been placed on the backburner. Nevertheless, things change fast in the final week of a window!
Forest Head-to-Head with Leverkusen for the “New Erling Haaland”
In addition to pursuing immediate first-team reinforcements, Forest are continuing their strategic focus on securing elite up-and-coming talent for the future. The Reds are reportedly locked in a fierce head-to-head battle with German side Bayer Leverkusen to sign teenage sensation Abdoulaye Agbejoye.
The 18-year-old striker has set tongues wagging in his native Nigeria, where his prolific goalscoring exploits have earned him comparisons to Manchester City goal machine Erling Haaland. Currently starring for academy side Grassrunners, Agbejoye is tipped by local publication Soccernet to make an imminent leap to European football.
Forest have emerged as the frontrunners to snap up the youngster, who is viewed as an integral part of the club’s long-term blueprint. If the City Ground hierarchy successfully beats Leverkusen to his signature, Agbejoye is unlikely to feature immediately in the Premier League; instead, a developmental loan or a spell within the club’s academy set-up would be the most likely initial pathway.
Glasner’s Final Week Blueprint
For Oliver Glasner, the primary mantra of the window has been quality over quantity. The Austrian boss has made it clear that his final wish list consists of securing a new right-back and bolstering the attacking line before the September 1st deadline.
Whether Forest decide to pull the trigger on a surprise midfield swoop for Casado or finalize a deal for the exciting young Nigerian prospect, the next week promises to be an absolute rollercoaster for Nottingham Forest supporters!
