Here are your Nottingham Forest headlines on Friday, June 30, 2023.
State of play
Forest are likely to face stern competition should they pursue their interest in Manchester City youngster Carlos Borges.
The Reds have been linked with the talented 19-year-old as they look to strengthen their options at the top end of the pitch this summer. “Preliminary” talks were said to have taken place over the £11 million-rated attacker, although a loan was also mooted as a possibility.
West Ham United have also been credited with an interest in Borges. However, reports from Italy suggest a move to Europe might be on the cards.
According to MediaGol, Palermo are eyeing up the teenager. And they are reportedly hoping being under the City Football Group banner will count in their favour, following a takeover by the Premier League champions’ owners last summer.
Reds thwarted
Forest are said to have had an attempt to sign Galatasaray winger Kerem Akturkoglu thwarted.
Reports in Turkey claim the Reds put forward an offer of 11 million euros (£9.5m) for the 24-year-old as they look to strengthen their squad ahead of the upcoming Premier League season. According to Takvim, however, the bid was deemed “very low” by the Turkish side and was rejected.
The report adds Akturkoglu is receptive to the idea of playing in English football’s top-flight but “respected” his club’s decision. It is suggested Forest are expected to try their luck again with a revised offer “in the coming days”, having been tracking the player for six months.
But the Reds could face competition from elsewhere as a number of clubs in Europe are said to be eyeing him up. Galatasaray are reportedly anticipating an offer from Lyon, who have shown an interest in the Turkey international for some time.
New signings
Forest have signed academy trio Will Brook, Harry Griffiths and Manni Norkett for their U21 side next season.
Both Brooks and Griffiths are goalkeepers who will join the Reds from Leeds United and AFC Wimbledon respectively. Forward Norkett arrives from Manchester United.
Norkett was born in Nottingham and is a former Forest academy graduate who scored nine goals in 14 U18 Premier League appearances for the Red Devils last season. The 18-year-old also made three appearances for United's U21 side in their Premier League 2 Division 1 campaign.
Griffiths, also 18, joins from AFC Wimbledon, where he was named on the bench for the League Two side on five occasions last season. having spent the past couple of years at Plough Lane.
Shot-stopper Will Brook joins the Reds at the end of his contract with the Whites. The 19-year-old spent a number of years at Elland Road and was part of Leeds' U21s squad which won promotion to Premier League 2 Division 1 last season.
Henderson returns
Dean Henderson has returned to training at parent club Manchester United on Thursday amid speculation over his future at the Red Devils.
Forest are in talks to sign the shot-stopper on a permanent deal this summer as they look to secure the services of a goalkeeper who impressed during his loan spell at the City Ground last season. Henderson made important saves for the Reds earlier in the campaign before picking up a season-ending injury in January.
It is his performances in the first few months of the 2022/23 season which have led the club to try and sign him this summer, as they look to strengthen their goalkeeping department. Wayne Hennessey is currently the Reds' only senior keeper, although they do still have Ethan Horvath on their books but his future remains unclear.
And our sister site the MEN have confirmed that Henderson is one of two players to return to the club's Carrington training ground early ahead of the start of pre-season for the Red Devils next week.
Piroe link
Forest have made "tentative enquires" about Swansea City striker Joel Piroe but face competition from Everton and Leicester City, it is claimed.
The 23-year-old has scored 41 goals during the two seasons he has spent in the Championship since arriving at the Welsh club in July 2021 from PSV Eindhoven.
His performances in English football's second tier have reportedly alerted him to the Foxes as new boss Enzo Maresca looks to rebuild them in his attempts to take Leicester straight back up to the top flight. But Forest could be set to rival their East Midlands rivals for his signature this summer.
Our colleagues at Wales Online claim that the Welsh side are "bracing themselves for a bid" with it claimed that Leicester are set to bid for him. However, they are not the only side reported to be interested in acquiring his services this summer.
