Anderlecht were keen on midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate before his move to Nottingham Forest, it has been claimed.
The 32-year-old was one of 21 new players brought in by the Reds during a busy summer transfer window as boss Steve Cooper overhauled his squad. Joining as a free agent, he put pen to paper on a two-year deal last month.
Kouyate had left Crystal Palace when his contract expired at the end of last season. But it seems Forest were not the only club interested in securing his signature.
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Anderlecht, where he spent six years earlier in his career, are said to have had their eye on him. SudPresse, via Voetbal 24, claim there “would even have been talks” between the two parties, but the player’s wages “turned out to be too high”.
Kouyate has made five appearances for Forest so far, including starting twice in the Premier League. Saturday saw him net his first goal for the club, as Cooper’s men took a two-goal lead against Bournemouth before falling 3-2 at the City Ground.
After linking up with the Reds, Kouyate, who has been utilised in defence and midfield, said: "I'm so happy to be here at this great club. In Senegal, all young players want to come to England because they love the Premier League too much.
“The fans, they are great, and it's the best competition ever, for all countries, we know that. And coming here it's a very big honour for me."
He also spoke about wanting to pass on his experience to younger members of the squad, saying: "Yes of course. This is my dream because if I'm here today someone made me who I am today and anything I can do to help them, I'm going to do that."
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