Nottingham Forest were reportedly close to agreeing the signing of Croatia's World Cup hero Dominik Livakovic in the summer.
The Dinamo Zagreb shot-stopper has emerged as a popular figure at the World Cup in Qatar after saving three penalties to eliminate Japan in the round of 16. He also impressed against Brazil, denying Rodrygo in the penalty shoot-out as Croatia booked a place in the semi-finals.
It has been claimed that Premier League sides including Manchester United and Leicester City passed up on the opportunity to land the 27-year-old. United were keen to provide a back-up to David de Gea while Leicester sought a replacement for Kasper Schmeichel, who departed to French side OGC Nice.
READ MORE: Johnson chasing down leader Yates to become Forest fans' player of 2022
READ MORE: Forest notebook: Marinakis influence evident as duo's absence explained
Transfer stance
The door might have been opened for Nottingham Forest to reignite their interest in promising midfielder Yunus Musah in January.
The Valencia youngster is said to be keen on a new challenge. And his club are reportedly prepared to listen to offers, which might be of interest to the Reds ahead of the window reopening.
Musah was said to be on Forest’s radar in the summer as they prepared for life in the Premier League. Reports in Spain suggested they had a £25m offer for the midfielder turned down.
According to The Athletic, Valencia are now willing to consider bids for the United States international, amid hope his impressive form at the World Cup “might stimulate the market for him”. That has led to unnamed Premier League clubs exploring a possible move, with a price tag upwards of 20m euros (roughly £17m) being touted.
England odds
Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cooper has appeared in the odds to take over as England boss should Gareth Southgate walk away from the job.
The current Three Lions manager cast doubt over his future following the World Cup quarter-final loss against France on Saturday night. Olivier Giroud’s header proved to be the difference between the two sides as captain Harry Kane missed the chance to equalise from the spot in the closing minutes of the game.
The England squad arrived back from the tournament last night with the squad members due to join up with their clubs ahead of the return of the Premier League in two weeks time. Speaking after the loss against France, Southgate said that he needed time to make a decision over his future.
"I want to make the right decision either way because it has to be the right one to go again, or the right one not to go again and I don't think tonight is the time to make a decision like that,” he said. "Neither are the next few days really."
On the move?
Nottingham Forest-linked Ruslan Malinovskyi is said to be edging closer to a January move to Tottenham Hotspur.
The Reds were credited with an interest in the Atalanta attacking midfielder in the summer, ahead of their return to the Premier League. Those links then resurfaced as attention turned to the winter transfer window, with the City Ground being tipped as the player’s destination of choice.
West Ham United and Marseille were also mooted as potential suitors, but reports in Italy suggest it is now Spurs who are leading the way to secure his signature. Calciomercato say the player is “increasingly close to Tottenham”, and his club could be willing to drop their asking price.
A 50 million euros (roughly £44.6m) price tag had previously been a stumbling block to any deal in the summer. That was revised to 18m euros (£15.5m), and now Atalanta may find it “easier to settle” for 15m euros (£12.8m).
What transfer business should Forest do in January? Have your say in the comments below
READ NEXT
Forest training camp insight given amid key boost to survival fight
Nottingham Forest transfers: Henderson stance, Becker 'enquiry' and Ndiaye latest
Jesse Lingard delivers 'shambles' verdict after England crash out of World Cup
Garibaldi Red podcast holds first live show - and you can join class panel
