Hello, you Reds! Here are the big Nottingham Forest stories with the start of the new Premier League season and a trip to Newcastle United just a few days away...
Twelfth summer signing
Nottingham Forest have confirmed the arrival of midfielder Orel Mangala from Stuttgart. The 24-year-old becomes the Reds’ 12th new addition of the summer as boss Steve Cooper shapes his squad ready for the Premier League season. Mangala makes the move for a fee believed to be in the region of £12.7m as owner Evangelos Marinakis bankrolls a spending spree ahead of the step up in divisions.
Mangala joined Stuttgart from Anderlecht in the summer of 2017 and had two years left to run on his contract with the German side. Last season, he made 28 appearances in the Bundesliga.
PSG transfer race
Nottingham Forest have a reported interest in Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Éric Junior Dina Ebimbe.
The Reds have been named in the French media as a club that have "come forward" to sign the 21-year-old, but they are not alone. Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt have stolen a march on Forest and lead the way in the player chase.
That may not deter Forest, though, who have been prolific in snapping up their targets so far this summer and have made 12 new signings ahead of the Premier League season starting next week. If Forest need one more signing, it would arguably be a central midfield player, so interest in Ebimbe would make sense.
Transfer change of heart
Nottingham Forest are said to have reignited their interest in Blackpool winger Josh Bowler.
The Reds were linked with a move for the 23-year-old in the January transfer window and it looked like the switch would happen, but interest seemingly cooled as the month wore on. Forest instead bolstered their attacking quarters with a move for striker Sam Surridge.
According to The Sun, Forest are now interested in Bowler once more and the attacker is "hoping" the Reds make an offer to take him to the Premier League. He was almost an ever-present for Blackpool in the Championship last season, scoring seven goals in 42 league appearances.
Jesse Lingard pledge
Summer signing Jesse Lingard has thanked Nottingham Forest fans for the “amazing reception” after making his debut for the club.
The former Manchester United ace got his first run-out in the Garibaldi on Saturday, playing almost 80 minutes of the 1-1 friendly draw with Valencia. And the Reds supporters showed their appreciation, raising a loud cheer when his name was read out in the starting line-up pre-match, then giving him a standing ovation when he was brought off.
Lingard did well against the Spanish visitors. Although still building up his match sharpness - having not had any meaningful minutes in pre-season prior to the game at Meadow Lane - he showed glimpses of what he has to offer.
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