Nottingham Forest are said to be trying to secure the services of free agent defender Alexander Djiku.
The 28-year-old is out of contract with Strasbourg and is weighing up his future. It seems he has no shortage of suitors, with the Reds said to be among them.
According to L’Equipe, Forest have already put forward “a proposal” to Djiku as they look to strengthen at the back this summer. But they face competition in any efforts to lure him to the Premier League.
Lille, Besiktas and Mainz are all credited with an interest in the Ghana international. Additionally, Strasbourg reportedly want to keep hold of their captain and are trying to convince him to stay put ahead of his deal running out at the end of this month.
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Djiku made the switch to the east of France from Caen in 2019, in a deal said to be worth 8 million euros (£6.8m). He has made more than 120 appearances for Strasbourg, including featuring 31 times and scoring one goal last season.
Centre-back is an area the Reds are likely to target as they tweak their squad for the 2023/24 campaign. They have a number of central defenders currently on the books, but several of them will see their contracts expire in 12 months’ time.
That means decisions will soon need to be made over whether to offer fresh terms or to try to cash-in, rather than risk seeing players leave for nothing. Joe Worrall, Loic Mbe Soh, Scott McKenna, Steve Cook, Willy Boly and Felipe have deals which run until 2024. Jonathan Panzo is under contract until 2025, but has been attracting interest from Rangers following his loan spell at Coventry City.
Forest are yet to make a signing since the transfer window opened earlier this month. However, incomings and outgoings are expected before the window shuts at 11pm on September 1.
