Nottingham Forest are edging closer to the signing of Orel Mangala with social media awash with speculation he has put pen to paper on a deal at the City Ground.
The Belgium international looks set to become the latest addition as Steve Cooper looks to further bolster his midfield ahead of the new Premier League season.
Huddersfield Town’s Lewis O’Brien has already been bought in, in the position, while Forest continue to be linked with interest in Portugal international William Carvalho. Reports throughout the week suggested that a move for Stuttgart midfielder Mangala has been edging closer as the days go by. The 24-year-old is said to have flown to the Greek capital of Athens on Tuesday in order to undergo a medical.
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It is thought the player will cost a fee of around £12.7 million. Mangala has featured in pre-season for Stuttgart, meaning that he should be ready for the season opener against Newcastle United next week.
Ahead of a move being confirmed, both videos and pictures have emerged on social media appearing to show the player posing in a Forest kit, as well as appearing to sign a contract while posing for the cameras. The video has since been deleted.
Mangala is expected to be confirmed as a Forest player, if and when he does, he will become the 12th new addition of the summer window. Speaking about the arrivals, Cooper explained the strategy behind the new incomings.
There’s loads of good players that are available or you can buy or you get offered to you,” he told NottinghamshireLive .
But it’s not just that. Obviously we want good players, but we want good players who fit our way of playing, fit our culture and fit our atmosphere.
“There’s lots of things which go into that. It’s like trying to put a jigsaw together, really.
“All of the players we have signed so far - and have kept, if you like - everyone knows they are good players, but they are players who suit how I want the team to play. And they act and work and behave in the right way.”
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