Head coach Steve Cooper was pleased with how new signing Danilo coped with some tough circumstances on his Nottingham Forest debut.
A few days after making the move from Palmeiras, the 21-year-old gave a good account of himself when he came on just before half-time against Bournemouth on Saturday, with the Reds 1-0 down. He played a part in the visitors’ equaliser, too, as they came from behind to rescue a point.
But while he has impressed early on, Cooper wants to give the highly-rated youngster chance to settle in his new surroundings. And he is keen not to “get too carried away” with the excitement which Danilo putting pen to paper at the City Ground generated.
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Transfer plan
Nottingham Forest pursuit of PSG goalkeeper Keylor Navas is beginning to take shape, according to reports.
The veteran shot-stopper won three Champions Leagues with Real Madrid before signing for the French club in 2019. Navas played every minute for Costa Rica at the recent World Cup but has found minutes at PSG harder to come by this season after losing his place to Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Navas is yet to feature in Ligue 1, with his two appearances so far coming in the Coupe de France. Forest are reported to be in the hunt for a goalkeeper, following Dean Henderson’s injury, and the club are claimed to be considering a move for the 36-year-old.
It has been reported by the Daily Mail that the Reds are “focusing strongly” on a deal for Navas, after manager Steve Cooper admitted that the club were weighing up whether to bring in a goalkeeper this month. Journalist Tom Collomosse has stated that Forest are looking for an initial loan deal, instead of a permanent transfer.
Opposition update
Manchester United will be without Anthony Martial, Diogo Dalot and Jadon Sancho for the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest.
United boss Erik ten Hag has confirmed that the trio will remain absent for Wednesday night's tie at the City Ground. Martial and Dalot have missed recent matches through injury, while Sancho recently returned to first-team training.
Asked if any of the three players could return at Forest, Ten Hag told his pre-match press conference on Tuesday: “No. All the players who were not available for the Arsenal game, so Dalot, Martial, Sancho, are also not available for tomorrow.”
Elsewhere, defender Axel Tuanzebe has returned to training this week after his injury lay-off but midfielder Donny van de Beek is out for the rest of the season as he recovers from a knee operation.
Midfielder linked
Nottingham Forest are reportedly keen on signing Inter Milan midfielder Roberto Gagliardini.
That is according to Gianluca Di Marzio, who claims it is unclear as to whether Forest are keen to enquire him immediately, or secure a pre-contract agreement for the summer with his deal at the San Siro set to expire at the end of the season. Forest have made three signings so far this month, with two of those already having come in midfield.
Brazilian duo Gustavo Scarpa and Danilo both made the switch from Palmeiras; the latter of which cost in the region of £20 million and is regarded as a huge talent. Forest currently have Cheikhou Kouyate out injured but are well stocked in that area with the aforementioned Scarpa and Danilo, as well as Remo Freuler, Ryan Yates, Orel Mangala, Jack Colback and Lewis O'Brien.
Gagliardini has struggled for regular minutes at Inter Milan this season having made just eight appearances in Serie A, with only two of those coming from the start. The 28-year-old has some top players ahead of him in his position with Marcelo Brozovic and Nicolo Barella among them.
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