Fenerbahce president Ali Koc has discussed how Nottingham Forest made a last-minute push to sign Michy Batshuayi.
The Reds tried to bring in the striker from Chelsea before last Thursday’s 11pm deadline. However, the deal failed to go through, with reports claiming that the Blues did not send the relevant paperwork in time.
Batshuayi went on to put pen to paper for Turkish side Fenerbahce, who are now interested in signing Loic Mbe Soh from Forest before their window closes. According to Koc, the 28-year-old had been a target for some time, but the Reds were not the only Premier League team to make a late attempt to capture him.
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Squad value
Defender Serge Aurier is almost certain to be the final piece of the jigsaw for Nottingham Forest, following a record-breaking summer.
The Reds made 21 signings before the deadline last Thursday - a British record for a single transfer window. Free agent Aurier has been able to put pen to paper after the cut-off to become new addition number 22, subject to visa approval.
Owner Evangelos Marinakis has certainly fulfilled his pledge to back head coach Steve Cooper in the transfer market. The cash has been splashed as Forest try to hold their own on their return to the top-flight after a 23-year absence.
With somewhere north of £140m spent, only four clubs in the Premier League are said to have shelled out more this summer, according to transfermarkt - Chelsea (£253.79m), Manchester United (£216.3m), West Ham United (£163.8m) and Tottenham Hotspur (£152.91m). Among the heavyweights in Europe, Barcelona’s summer expenditure is said to total £137.7m, PSG spent £132.8m and Real Madrid had a £72m outlay.
Reid's pride
Nottingham Forest coach Andy Reid says is relishing the opportunity to learn from boss Steve Cooper and his staff.
The Irishman linked up with the first-team group for their pre-season training camp in Spain, and went on to be appointed to the role on a permanent basis, making the step up from Under-23s boss. It continues a career path which has previously seen him in charge of Ireland’s Under-18s, as well as the Reds’ youth side.
He is now part of a coaching set-up which also includes assistant manager Alan Tate and recent recruit Jamie Robinson. And Reid says a high standard is set as the group oversee Forest’s Premier League return following a 23-year absence.
“I’m really, really proud. It’s a club that everybody knows means a lot to me,” the 40-year-old told the official website.
Summer exits
Nottingham Forest have been in the spotlight for their British record 22 signings during the transfer window.
But the headlines rarely take into account just how many players have left the City Ground since the end of last season. The Reds had little choice but to mount a summer spending spree, both to strengthen ready for the challenge of the Premier League and to make up for the number of departures.
Some big names and key players were among the outgoings. We take a look at how those players have got on since their Trentside exits.
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