Nottingham Forest-linked Ruslan Malinovskyi is said to be edging closer to a January move to Tottenham Hotspur.
The Reds were credited with an interest in the Atalanta attacking midfielder in the summer, ahead of their return to the Premier League. Those links then resurfaced as attention turned to the winter transfer window, with the City Ground being tipped as the player’s destination of choice.
West Ham United and Marseille were also mooted as potential suitors, but reports in Italy suggest it is now Spurs who are leading the way to secure his signature. Calciomercato say the player is “increasingly close to Tottenham”, and his club could be willing to drop their asking price.
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A 50 million euros (roughly £44.6m) price tag had previously been a stumbling block to any deal in the summer. That was revised to 18m euros (£15.5m), and now Atalanta may find it “easier to settle” for 15m euros (£12.8m).
After catching the eye in the 2021/22 campaign with 10 goals for his club, Malinovskyi has struggled to replicate that form this time around. The Ukrainian has been in and out of the starting XI, and has scored once in 15 Serie A appearances.
The 29-year-old will be out of contract at the end of the season, although it has previously been claimed there is an agreement in place to extend that through to 2025. Reports have suggested he is unhappy with his situation at Atalanta.
Forest boss Steve Cooper has been tight-lipped on what business he will look to do when the window opens. But funds will be available for a few key additions as the Reds aim to preserve their top-flight status.
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