Nottingham Forest Plans Second Offer for Midfielder
Nottingham Forest is preparing to make a second bid for Brighton midfielder Yasin Ayari, following an initial offer of £20 million that was rejected. This move comes as the club aims to strengthen its squad for the second half of the season.
Nottingham Forest’s Current Position
Under head coach Sean Dyche, Nottingham Forest recently climbed to 17th place in the Premier League, moving away from the relegation zone. They currently sit five points ahead of West Ham United but remain at risk of dropping again.
This season, their league standings show minimal improvement compared to the previous season, where they finished in 16th place. Their performance contradicts the aspirations set following a strong finish in the 2022-23 season, where they nearly qualified for the Champions League.
Seasonal Performance Overview
| Season | Position |
|---|---|
| 2024–25 | 7th (Premier League) |
| 2023–24 | 17th (Premier League) |
| 2022–23 | 16th (Premier League) |
| 2021–22 | 4th (Championship, promoted via play-offs) |
| 2020–21 | 17th (Championship) |
Transfer Market Activity
In an effort to bolster their chances of avoiding relegation, Forest is also exploring other transfer targets. They have been linked with Jean-Philippe Mateta from Crystal Palace, though they will face stiff competition from Juventus for his signature.
Crystal Palace is already preparing for a potential Mateta departure, having agreed on a deal for Jorgen Strand Larsen from Wolves.
Additionally, Forest is seeking a replacement for goalkeeper John Victor, who is sidelined for the rest of the season due to a knee injury. Wolves’ Jose Sa is a prominent target in that regard.
Future Outlook
Brighton seems intent on retaining key players, making the likelihood of a successful bid for Ayari uncertain. Last season, Tottenham Hotspur’s Dejan Kulusevski highlighted Ayari’s importance to the Swedish national team, emphasizing his growing reputation.
As the transfer window is set to close soon, Nottingham Forest’s management is eager to provide Dyche with more options, aiming to ensure their Premier League survival while keeping an eye on potential Europa League qualification.
