SAD NEWS: Nottingham best player announces unexpected retirement
Nottingham Forest have again been linked with interest in Real Betis talent Assane Diao – and if able to land their man could repeat a trick currently paying huge dividends for Nuno Espirito Santo.
It was in June that the club were first rumoured to have a ‘firm interest’ in 19-year-old Diao, and his name has surfaced once again as the Reds consider possible deals for the January transfer window.
According to Spanish outlet Estadio Deportivo, the winger could find himself available in January after falling out of manager Manuel Pellegrini’s immediate plans at Betis.
They highlight how the Chilean coach has ignored his teen prospect in favour of more senior members of the squad, even as the Betis fixture list becomes busier. Ahead of Diao in his favoured position on the right flank are Pablo Fornals and Ezequiel ‘Chimy’ Avila, whilst up front the existing options of Cedric Bakambu and Vitor Roque have closed that door.
As such, the report claims Betis may seek to cash in come winter, with Forest named as one of many suitors for Diao. The strongest competition they face seems to be from Eredevisie side Feyenoord, who intend to return for the player after failing to wrap up the transfer during the summer window.
Other candidates listed include Premier League rivals Brentford, Bundesliga clubs Hoffenheim and RB Leipzig, both Getafe and Villarreal in Spain, plus FC Porto of Portugal.
As part of Forest’s unbeaten five-game streak to begin the new season, Nuno has been able to get a tune out of his existing wing options. That was best displayed in the win over Liverpool at Anfield when Anthony Elanga and Callum Hudson-Odoi emerged from the bench to combine for the winning goal. Summer recruits Jota Silva and Ramon Sosa have also combined for goals against Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup and Brighton in the Premier League.
Hudson-Odoi’s difficult pathway into the starting XI at previous club Chelsea eventually promoted his move to the City Ground, and the same could apply to Senegal youth international Diao.
He already has 32 senior appearances with four goals in Spanish football on his CV – and Forest’s Portuguese coach could seek to replicate the Hudson-Odoi formula that has so far worked a treat for his current club.
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