Nottingham Forest have received a boost in their reported attempts to sign Montpellier defender Maxime Estève.
Forest were linked with the centre-back last week, and it was said that the Reds had an €11million (£9.7million) bid rejected for the 20-year-old. Loic Bade has now left, while Loic Mbe Soh may move on before the end of the month.
So Forest have a gap for another defender to come in, and Estève could be that man. Their offer to Montpellier was knocked back by the Ligue 1 club, who were reluctant to part with their defender until the end of the season - essentially pushing Forest away until the summer.
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But Forest could now get their man sooner than expected. French newspaper L'Equipe report that Montpellier are on the verge of signing defender Boubakar Kouyaté from fellow French side Metz. It's said that "this arrival could open the door" for Forest to sign Estève know Montpellier have a replacement on his way in.
If Forest were to sign Estève, he would become the Reds' third summer signing. He would follow Brazilian midfielders Gustavo Scarpa and Danilo, who have both arrived from Palmeiras. Danilo's arrival was confirmed yesterday (Monday), with the 21-year-old signing a six-and-a-half-year contract.
Do you think Forest need another centre-back? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section.
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