Boss Steve Cooper admits tough decisions sometimes have to be taken as he discussed Joe Lolley’s situation at Nottingham Forest.
The Reds have made seven signings so far this summer - eight if Brandon Aguilera is included, although the teenager has immediately returned to Costa Rica for a six-month loan at Guanacasteca. Meanwhile, a number of players have headed in the opposite direction, either on permanent or loan deals.
Further incomings and outgoings will follow as Cooper shapes his squad for the Premier League. Lolley is now likely to fall into the latter category, having been informed he is not part of Forest’s plans for the upcoming season.
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'Bid made'
Nottingham Forest are said to have made an initial offer for VfB Stuttgart midfielder Orel Mangala.
The Reds are looking to bolster their options in the centre of the pitch as they prepare for the Premier League season. But they are not the only ones apparently keen on the 24-year-old.
German newspaper Die Welt claim Forest have made a bid for Mangala - with Stuttgarter Zeitung reporting the offer has been rejected. Crystal Palace and West Ham United are also credited with an interest in the player.
A 15m euros (about £12.7m) price tag has been mooted for the Belgian, who has two years left to run on his current contract. He was not involved in a friendly against Brentford at the weekend, with boss Pellegrino Matarazzo said to have been “already testing in the event that Mangala leaves VfB this summer”.
Captaincy stance
Head coach Steve Cooper says he has yet to decide who will be Nottingham Forest captain for the coming season.
Lewis Grabban wore the armband last term, with Cooper valuing the experienced striker’s role on and off the pitch as he was a key presence in the dressing room. But the 34-year-old confirmed his departure from the City Ground last week, having been unable to agree a new contract with the club.
That leaves a vacancy to be filled ahead of the Reds’ return to the Premier League. As vice-captain, defender Joe Worrall skippered the side when Grabban was sidelined with injury, and has led the team out in their three friendlies so far this summer.
The academy graduate was part of a leadership group which Cooper placed much importance on last season. But the Forest boss believes being captain carries particular weight, and he wants to take his time before making a final call.
Links discussed
Nottingham Forest transfer 'target' Aster Vranckx does "not care" about reports linking him with a move to the Premier League.
The Belgian teenager, currently plying his trade with Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga, has been linked with moves to both Forest and Everton in recent days.
Vranckx has been quizzed about reports linking him to Forest and did not hold back in saying what he thinks about the recent transfer speculation. “I don’t care about these Premier League rumours,” he said. “It’s my agent who takes care of it."
He also reiterated his commitment to Wolfsburg while outlining his hopes for the future. “I hope to become and stay as a starter (in Wolfsburg’s XI)," he said.
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