Nottingham Forest have been linked with a move for Young Boys striker Guillaume Hoarau, and he would appear to be taken with a possible “mission” in England.
The experienced frontman is reported to be among the targets being lined up by the Reds.
His CV would certainly put him in the mix.
Despite being 35 years of age, Hoarau has remained a prolific presence in recent times.
To the point that he has plundered 115 goals across the last five years.
That haul has been achieved at a rate of well over one every other game, which suggests that he is familiar with a route to the back of the net.
Forest are crying out for another option with that course programmed into their sporting sat nav.
Hoarau could well be the man, despite various other names being added to the pot.
Pedigree
He has no prior experience of life in England, but has spent time at PSG, earned five caps for France and graced Champions League and Europa League stages.
Not bad pedigree!
A shot at firing Forest back into the Premier League also seems to hold some appeal.
Hoarau has told Blick of links to the Reds and whether an approach has been made: “No. However, I know that Nottingham is determined to move up to the Premier League.
“They have a lot of games and need people for this mission. And people who score goals are not so easy to find.
“England – I’ve never been there. However, it is a project like many others. I don’t rush anything.”
Hoarau is set to be a free agent next summer so could be acquired for a nominal fee in January.
He has added on his future: “Everything is possible in football. My contract will end in six months.
“Of course, clubs call to find out what is going on. I once said that I would stay with YB until I could no longer walk.
Negotiating
__VIDEO__
“If I put myself in the position of the club and consider that my top scorer of the last few years, who is 35 years old, was injured for the majority of the preliminary round and did not score – then these are not the best conditions to deal with him to extend.
“I will sit down with YB. Until then, I’m not negotiating with anyone.”
How long will that remain the case?
Is a phone number being sought at the City Ground?
If Forest were to ask the question, then they may get a positive answer.
We are, of course, dealing in speculation at the moment, but movement is going to have to be made at some point.
The growing number of frontmen being mooted as potential targets suggests that efforts to get deals over the line are being stepped up.
Hoarau would represent something of a gamble, given his age and lack of experience in English football, but he may well be the kind of calculated risk that delivers rich rewards.
Receive a digest of our best Nottingham Forest content each week direct to your mailbox
