Nottingham Forest have announced they will play Valencia in a friendly during the upcoming World Cup break.
Steve Cooper ’s side will travel to Spain on Friday, December 16, to face the La Liga side at the Mestalla Stadium. Kick-off will be 7.30pm local time, 6.30pm UK time.
A statement from the Reds said: “The Club has proud history with Valencia having been the first European side to visit the Mestalla and compete in an official match - the first leg of a knockout round in the Fairs Cup - in September 1961. Valencia were also the guests at our centenary.
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Striker's decision
Former Everton striker Moise Kean reportedly rejected the opportunity to join Nottingham Forest in the summer transfer window.
The Juventus star was said to have been of interest to Forest when the club was building a squad capable of competing in the Premier League. Forest signed 23 players and spent in excess of £130million in the summer window.
After a disappointing spell at Everton which ended in the Blues opting to let the forward move on from Goodison Park, Kean re-joined Juventus in 2021 on an initial two-year loan deal with an obligation to buy for £28 million and according to reports in Italy, Forest were willing to spend big to bring the 23-year-old back to the Premier League this season.
Calciomercato claim that Kean declined a 'rich offer' from Forest to become one of their most expensive signings in that window.
Cooper's thoughts
Nottingham Forest head coach Steve Cooper insists it has been "amazing" to see how supporters have responded to Premier League football returning to the City Ground this season.
Cooper won promotion with the Reds last season and despite the club's tough start to their first top-flight campaign for 23 years, he has been impressed with how fans have got behind the team in the opening months. Forest are currently rooted to the bottom of the Premier League ahead of the break for the World Cup, but could lift themselves out of the bottom three with a big win over Crystal Palace this weekend.
The Reds advanced into the fourth round of the Carabao Cup in midweek after beating Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 at the City Ground and boss Cooper hopes his side can bring some momentum into this weekend's clash with Palace.
"The objective is always to get good results and if you can match that with good performances, then they're the two things we judge more than anything," said Cooper.
Spence speculation
Tottenham Hotspur manager Antonio Conte looks set to put Nottingham Forest on red alert, and provide the Reds with hope that Djed Spence could return to the City Ground in January.
According to 90min.com, Conte wants to sign a new right wing-back and forward. This is despite being able to name Emerson Royal, Matt Doherty and former Forest loanee Spence in the former role.
Therefore, it is expected that at least one of those would depart, with the door being potentially opened for Spence to make a sensational return to the East Midlands.
The 22-year-old made 42 Championship appearances for the Reds last season and played a key part in helping Steve Cooper's side win promotion to the Premier League.
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