Nottingham Forest are said to have put forward a £7 million bid for Salernitana midfielder Lassana Coulibaly.
The Reds were linked with the 26-year-old last week as they plot January reinforcements in a bid to preserve their top-flight status. And they are now said to have taken that interest a step further.
According to Italian media outlet Le Cronache, Forest are “on the trail” of Coulibaly, and have put £7m (8m euros) “on the table” in an attempt to secure his services. It is likely they would have to increase that offer to land him, however.
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Trial boost
Scunthorpe United goalkeeper Owen Foster has opened up about his time on trial at Nottingham Forest.
The 17-year-old attracted interest from the Reds, who 'wanted to have a look at him' by inviting him along to training. Foster spent three days training with the club before eventually returning to the National League side.
The youngster signed a two-year professional deal with the Iron earlier this year, despite being in the first year of a 24-month apprenticeship with their academy. Since his time at Forest, he has been involved in the first team, being named as Marcus Dewhurst's back-up - and made his first appearance in the goalless draw against Yeovil Town on Monday.
Speaking to BBC Radio Humberside, Foster shared his experience with the Reds. "I think it was something that the two clubs were discussing," he said. "I managed to go for a three-day trial, I went there, gave it all I’ve got and then came back.
United selection
Nottingham Forest could come up against a Manchester United side without two of their World Cup stars when the Premier League resumes.
The Reds make the trip to face Valencia in their final friendly of the winter break on Friday (6.30pm kick-off UK time). After that, all eyes will be on their return to competitive action.
That starts with a Carabao Cup clash at Blackburn Rovers next Wednesday (December 21). A trip to Old Trafford on December 27 will then be the first league match back for Steve Cooper ’s side.
The five Forest players - Brennan Johnson, Neco Williams, Wayne Hennessey, Remo Freuler and Cheikhou Kouyate - who were representing their countries in Qatar are now back with the squad, although Kouyate is facing at least a couple of months on the sidelines with a hamstring injury. But that is not the case for United.
Cast your vote
Perhaps it was one particular night in early March when there was a tangible shift in the general opinion around Ryan Yates.
For so long the Nottingham Forest midfielder had been on the receiving end of plenty of flak, dividing the fanbase as many viewed him as not being good enough. It wasn’t unknown for negative comments to abound on social media when a starting XI was named with him in it.
The past 12 months have changed all of that. Now, Yates is seen as being crucial to the Reds’ cause. He was at the heart of last season’s promotion success, and he is using every fibre of his being to try to drag the team away from relegation trouble now they are in the Premier League.
Those who doubted him before now appreciate how important he is. There are very few “Yaters” about.
What transfer business should Forest do in January? Have your say in the comments below
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