Welcome to NottinghamshireLive's coverage of all things Reds on Saturday, June 17.
Target talks
French side Olympique Marseille are in ‘advanced’ negotiations for Nottingham Forest linked defender Romain Saiss, according to reports.
The Reds have been credited with an interest in the former Wolverhampton Wanderers central defender since the January window. Reports earlier this week claimed that Forest were preparing to make a £3.4 million bid for the player.
It now however seems that another club have taken the lead in the race for the 33-year-old. According to RMC Sport , Marseille are talking to both the player and his current club Besiktas over a possible summer move.
It is said that negotiations are at an ‘advanced’ stage and Saiss ‘wants’ to join the Ligue 1 club. The defender is reportedly discussing a two-year contract with the club with the option of a third year.
Nottingham notebook
The release of Nottingham Forest’s 2023/24 Premier League fixtures this week means anticipation for the upcoming season can really step up a notch.
The countdown is on for the Reds’ return to action. And with the summer transfer window now open, Forest have some big weeks ahead as they look to get their business done.
Planning for the new term can begin in earnest. With that in mind, here’s our round-up of the latest goings-on Trentside.
Terrific Taiwo
Striker Taiwo Awoniyi continues to be busy in the off-season. Following his goodwill gestures back in his homeland, he is now preparing to represent Nigeria against Sierra Leone on Sunday.
And the Reds ace has been speaking to local media as part of the preparations. One of the questions he was asked concerned his switch to the City Ground last summer.
It was put to Awoniyi that there might have been some concerns he had made the wrong move when he struggled for form early on in the campaign. His goals during the run-in soon put paid to that argument, and the man himself says he didn’t listen to the doubters.
“The truth is everyone has their opinion,” he told Brila FM (via All Nigeria Soccer). “Now everyone is saying, wow, I made a good season.
“If I had stayed at my former club no one would have known how important I would have been for Nottingham Forest. My advice for everyone is not to look into people’s ideas and just keep on believing in them and keep on praying for them regardless of what move they make.”
International duty
Awoniyi isn’t the only Forest player currently away with their countries. And there is good news where Neco Williams is concerned, with the defender fit to feature for Wales.
Williams suffered a fractured jaw during April’s 3-1 win over Brighton and Hove Albion, meaning he missed the Reds’ final five games. However, Wales boss Rob Page says he has been cleared to play in the Euro 2024 qualifiers.
The 22-year-old has taken part in full training and will not need to wear a protective mask when he plays. Wales hosted Armenia last night and face Turkey on Monday, with Brennan Johnson and Wayne Hennessey also in the squad.
Also on international duty this month are Morgan Gibbs-White (European Championships with England Under-21s), Remo Freuler (Switzerland), Orel Mangala (Belgium), Serge Aurier (Ivory Coast), Cheikhou Kouyate and Moussa Niakhate (Senegal), Mohamed Drager (Tunisia) and Dale Taylor and Aaron Donnelly (Northern Ireland).
Stepping up
Nottingham Forest midfielder Orel Mangala has hinted that he is ready to step into the shoes of Kevin De Bruyne for Belgium, saying that he’s experienced the best season in his career with the Reds.
The 25-year-old joined Forest from Stuttgart last summer. He impressed in his first season in the Premier League, making 27 appearances as Forest secured their place in the division. His performances caught the eye of his national side, with the midfielder earning his first cap for Belgium just before his move to the City Ground.
Speaking in a press conference ahead of the Red Devils euro qualifier against Austria on Saturday, Mangala reflected on the season just gone. He also outlined his aim for the future with the national team.
"We held on and I played a lot of matches so it's been a great first season for me in Nottingham" , he said, via RTBF . "Is this my best season? Yes. It's the one that gives me the best feelings and the national team was close to my heart.
“I knew it could happen, that my turn was coming. My wish now is is to further increase in power to be able to settle permanently with the Devils.”
Roma raid
Forest are said to be keen on young Roma midfielder Nicola Zalewski as they look to strengthen their squad.
With the summer transfer window now open and the 2023/24 Premier League fixtures out, the Reds can really step up their preparations for the upcoming season. Head coach Steve Cooper is keen for the club to make progress in the top-flight, and that means new signings are required.
Reports in Italy suggest Forest are eyeing up Zalewski as they target bolstering their ranks. They could face competition for his signature, however, with Premier League rivals West Ham United and Bournemouth also linked.
According to Il Messaggero the player has a 20 million euros (£17m) price tag on his head, with Roma seemingly willing to let him go. The Italian outfit’s general manager, Tiago Pinto, is said to have travelled to England this week with the aim of getting some business done. It is reported he is on a “mission” to sell players in order to raise funds.
