With Nottingham Forest making their return to domestic action this week following Sunday's breath-taking World Cup final, Steve Cooper will be eyeing a huge push over the festive period and beyond should his side wish to escape the Premier League drop zone.
For that, the Welshman will need all the help he can muster, and already has comfort from the knowledge that Evangelos Marinakis will back him with at least two new January signings to follow the already-incoming Gustavo Scarpa through the door.
Back in the top flight for the first time in 23 years, the Reds went into the winter World Cup break one point from safety. Their summer spending on 23 fresh faces had been heavily criticised before an upturn in form following Cooper's contract renewal in October, therefore it seems there is no sign of that policy being scrapped just yet.
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As a crucial month approaches upon the turn of the year, Nottinghamshire Live takes a look at the latest players linked with a potential move to the East Midlands.
Lassana Coulibaly
With Cheikhou Kouyaté tearing his hamstring on World Cup duty for Senegal, the door has been opened for a defensive-minded midfielder to join the Forest ranks. Lassana Coulibaly of Salernitana appears to fit the bill with Forest 'insistently following' the Mali international, though his employers are reluctant to let go of their prized asset.
The 12th-placed Serie A side hold all the cards at this moment in time, and have even been said to have already rejected an offer from the Reds in the region of £7million this month. That being said, if a deal is not struck next month, then it is believed that the Garnets would be willing to come back to negotiations in the summer window.
Jefferson Lerma
Another option in this area of the field, Jefferson Lerma, has lately been linked to make the switch from the south coast to the East Midlands. With 162 appearances in English football, the Colombian would be a solid addition to Cooper's squad.
If a deal with Bournemouth is to be made next month, there are potential factors that may work for and against Forest. The obvious one is that the Dorset club would most likely not wish to sell to a Premier League relegation rival, but as Lerma's contract is up in 18-months-time, cash in hand for the player after Christmas may prove too tempting of an offer.
Sheraldo Becker
If this deal were to emerge, it would be somewhat of a Union Berlin reunion on these shores. Becker has performed excellently in the Bundesliga since filling the void left when Taiwo Awoniyi moved to the City Ground earlier this year, proving his capabilities as both a winger and a striker.
Seven goals and four assists in 15 appearances so far this season has piqued the interest of Forest again, and linking up with Awoniyi once again as a strike partnership would be a frightening prospect in the Premier League. Whilst talks are at an early stage, the player is believed to be keen on a move to England.
Iliman Ndiaye
Nine goals and two assists for Sheffield United in the Championship so far this campaign, in addition to another assist for Senegal at the World Cup last month, have confirmed that Ndiaye is ready to make the step up to the Premier League.
The attacking midfielder was linked with a move from Bramall Lane in summer, and once again finds himself on Cooper's radar. It will have to seen whether the Blades can be pressured into a deal next month, but like Coulibaly, summer may prove to be the time to strike should the South Yorkshire outfit fail to reinstate themselves as a top flight club.
Walid Cheddira
Morocco's World Cup heroics captured the hearts of many, but with the tournament now finished there is a long list of clubs looking to snap up some surprise talent. Cheddira's name may not have stood out on the biggest stage of all, and rightly so having managed only two substitute appearances whilst being sent off in one of those, however his club form this campaign has attracted interest across the continent.
Playing for SSC Bari in Italy's second division, the Moroccan has notched an impressive nine goals and five assists in 12 matches. As a result, Serie A sides Napoli and Lazio have also been credited with interest, as well as Tottenham Hotspur and Watford.
Etienne Camara
If Cooper were to pursue a deal for Huddersfield Town's highly-rated midfielder, it would certainly be viewed as a positive one with the benefits likely to be seen in years to come. The Frenchman joined the Terriers at academy level from Angers SCO in 2020, working his way up through the under-19s and B Team to earn a regular position in the first team squad in 2022/23.
In November the 19-year-old's contract was automatically extended to 2024 after hitting 10 league starts, and with new manager Mark Fotheringham a big fan of the player, Forest would seriously have to test the resolve of a club they have already signed two players from in 2022. Leicester City are also said to be monitoring the midfielder's progress.
Who do you think Forest should sign in January? Let us know in the comments section.
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