Sint-Truidense player Yuma Suzuki rejected a late offer from Nottingham Forest on transfer deadline day, according to journalist Sacha Tavolieri. The Reds had identified the player and his club Sint-Truiden had agreed on a transfer fee with the Championship club.
At 25, the Japanese player is still developing. Last season he was bang in form for the Belgian top-flight outfit. He scored 17 goals and claimed four assists during 35 appearances for the club.
Suzuki signed for Sint-Truiden from Kashima Antlers. For the Japanese outfit, he scored 45 goals and claimed 24 assists during 151 appearances for the club.
Forest scoured the market frantically for a striker on transfer deadline day. Josh Maja was linked with a move but ultimately that fell through and the seemingly final hurdle. The Reds did land Xande Silva from West Ham, although he’s considered more of a winger.
Lewis Grabban and Lyle Taylor will both breathe a huge sigh of relief. The purchase of an out and out centre-forward might have seen one, or both, struggle for game time during 2021/22.
Suzuki was a target for the Reds. He is a player who fits with the ethos of the type of signing Dane Murphy likes to make. The Japanese star is young and would retain some sell-on value at the City Ground.
Could Forest return for Suzuki?
It seems unlikely with him rejecting the move once. If Forest were in a higher league position perhaps his answer might be different but for now he’s a name who will remain on the backburner.
The 25-year-old could have proved a shrewd signing. He gets into positions to score goals and the youthful exuberance would have made a refreshing change of strategy from Taylor or Grabban.
For now, Forest will have to go with what they’ve got and monitor how Suzuki gets on in Belgium this season.