Nottingham Forest-linked defender Alexander Djiku has signed for Fenerbahce.
The centre-back had plenty of suitors as he weighed up his future after his contract expired with Strasbourg. The Reds were said to be among them, with reports from France suggesting they had put forward “a proposal” for the free agent.
Lille, Villarreal, Besiktas and Mainz were also credited with an interest in Djiku, while Strasbourg had hopes of hanging on to him. However, it is Turkish side Fenerbahce who have won the race for his signature.
The 28-year-old was unveiled in a signing ceremony alongside manager Selahattin Baki and sporting director Mario Branco. “Welcome to our family. We wish you many victories and championships with our Fenerbahce,” was the message on the club’s website.
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Prior to Djiku opting for a move to Turkey, Forest were reportedly in the thick of the transfer battle for the Ghana international. According to L’Equipe, it had become a “two-horse race” between the Reds and Fenerbahce after the player had decided against signing a new deal with Strasbourg. Both clubs reportedly submitted offers to the player’s camp before he made his final decision.
Forest are yet to welcome any new arrivals since the transfer window opened last month. They will look to strengthen in a number of positions, including in central defence.
An emphasis is also being placed on overseeing outgoings, in a bid to trim numbers. Steve Cook could be among those to make way, having been left out of the 25-man Premier League squad for the second half of last season. Meanwhile, fellow centre-back Jonathan Panzo is wanted by Rangers, on the back of an impressive loan spell with Coventry City.
After a quiet start to the window at the City Ground, transfer activity is expected to begin ramping up in the coming weeks - particularly now Steve Cooper’s side have reported back for pre-season training. They have a month to go before their opening league fixture, away to Arsenal on August 12.
