Nottingham Forest Bids £20M to Acquire Key Brighton Midfielder

Nottingham Forest is making headlines in the transfer market with a reported £20 million bid for Brighton’s Yasin Ayari. The Premier League club is urgently seeking reinforcements as they face the threat of relegation.

Forest’s Relegation Battle

Currently, Nottingham Forest is positioned precariously at 17th place, just five points clear of the relegation zone. The urgency for new signings has intensified after losing Douglas Luiz, who was recalled by Juventus for loan to Aston Villa. As a result, Forest is targeting midfielders to bolster their squad.

Yasin Ayari: A Brighton Talent

Yasin Ayari has emerged as a crucial player for Brighton this season. The Swedish international has scored four goals in 23 appearances, highlighting his importance to the team’s tactics. Brighton’s manager, Fabian Hurzeler, praised Ayari’s contributions, labeling him “very important.”

Brighton’s Strong Scouting Network

• Ayari was acquired from AIK for only £3.5 million in January 2023.
• He previously had loan spells with Coventry City and Blackburn Rovers.

His development into a regular first-team player is a testament to Brighton’s effective scouting and player development strategies.

Transfer Bid Rejected

Despite Forest’s ambitious £20 million offer, Brighton rejected the bid. Reports from BBC’s Sami Mokbel and Daily Mail’s Tom Collomosse confirmed the rejection, indicating that Nottingham Forest may consider a higher bid.

Additional Targets for Nottingham Forest

In addition to Ayari, Forest has shown interest in capturing Lewis Dunk, Brighton’s captain. Dunk has over 500 appearances for the club and is considered a pivotal figure at the Amex Stadium. However, Brighton has no intentions of parting with either player.

Upcoming Transfer Window Activity

As the transfer deadline approaches, Nottingham Forest aims to escalate their recruitment efforts. They are reportedly pursuing a deal for Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta as part of their strategy to strengthen the squad.

Expect more developments as Forest navigates the demanding transfer landscape in their quest for survival in the Premier League.