Nottingham Forest reportedly 'admire' Bournemouth's Jefferson Lerma as the club could target a midfielder to replace the injured Cheikhou Kouyate during the January transfer window.
Kouyate, 32, tore a hamstring while playing in Senegal's opening group game at the World Cup against the Netherlands and is now expected to be sidelined for three months while it heals. The defensive midfielder has made 13 appearances for the Reds this season since signing on a free transfer during the summer after leaving Crystal Palace at the end of last season.
Forest still have several options in central areas, including other summer signings Remo Freuler, Orel Mangala and Lewis O'Brien, as well as Ryan Yates, Reds Fans’ Player of the Year. A more defensive-minded replacement may now be sought, though, with only Jack Colback currently a specialist in that position, and he himself has been restricted to just five appearances so far this season due to a combination of injury and illness.
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Lerma, 28, would certainly fit this bill to a tee. The Colombia international has been ever-present for the Cherries so far this season following their promotion back to the Premier League.
The Telegraph are reporting that the Reds 'admire' the player and that 'a midfielder could also be targeted' by the club in Kouyate's absence. They do add, though, that there are 'doubts' about whether a deal could be agreed between the two clubs.
Bournemouth currently sit 14th in the top-flight table but are only three points ahead of Forest, who are 18th and remain in the relegation zone. The south coast club are unlikely to want to weaken themselves and strengthen a rival, but Lerma's contract does expire at the end of this season, meaning January would be the last opportunity to recoup any of the £25 million club-record transfer fee paid for the player four-and-a-half years ago.
Who do you want to replace Kouyate during January? Have your say in the comments...
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