Nottingham Forest have been rumoured to be interested in several players of late, with Mathieu Peybernes one of the latest links.
The French defender has been linked with Forest and Swansea City – although the player prefers to stay in Spain.
Peybernes has been out on loan during 2020/21. He spent the first half of the campaign with his contracted club, Almeria, before moving to Real Zaragoza.
He played 20 games in total across the season but doesn’t appear to have a future with his existing outfit.
As a result, he looks set to leave the club this summer, with several clubs keen.
Forest and Swansea provide the English interest, although the Reds should steer well clear.
Supporters of the club are keen to see a change in strategy when it comes to the transfer market.
For far too long, short-term options have been the order of the day and that has to change.
Peybernes isn’t a bad player but at 30, he will come with no resale value and offer another temporary fix.
Forest linked with Paybernes: Defence not a priority
The Reds are well-stocked at the heart of the back four.
Even if Joe Worrall did leave for the Premier League, Forest would still have plenty of options.
Scott McKenna is an international, Loic Mbe Soh looks like a future star and Tobias Figueiredo is okay as backup.
There is an argument that were Worrall to leave, one more option would be sought.
It definitely shouldn’t be a 30-year-old though and one who has never kicked a ball in English football.
Planning for a Forest future
Chris Hughton’s remit has to be to start putting plans in place for the future.
Signing quick fixes isn’t always possible and at some point, there needs to be a clear plan when it comes to recruitment.
With some new staff in place behind the scenes when it comes to recruitment, hopefully, Forest can get it right this summer.
Signing Peybernes wouldn’t be an ideal start and the hope will be that this link is idle agent talk trying to ramp up Spanish interest in the player.