Nottingham Forest considered signing West Ham youngster Emmanuel Longelo during the January transfer window but he could now join Rangers.
According to The Sun, a number of clubs are vying for his signature, with the Teddy Bears and Premier League newcomers Bournemouth leading the chase.
The left-back made his senior debut for the Hammers during 2021/22. He played the full 90 minutes in a Europa League clash against Dinamo Zagreb.
He’s not really been close to the first team otherwise, however. As a result, the Hammers now look set to offload him during the summer transfer window.
The report does mention Forest. However, it’s not believed that they will move for Longelo again now that promotion to the Premier League has been secured.
Longelo does fit the profile of a Forest signing. He’s only 21-years-old and does look set for a bright future wherever he plays his football.
Rangers are set to be in the market for a new left-back. Current option Calvin Bassey is being targeted by former boss Steven Gerrard over a move to Aston Villa.
West Ham are in the market for a new left-back themselves and that will leave Longelo deemed surplus to requirements.
Forest were linked with Longelo but they’re right not to sign him now
Had Forest failed in their promotion quest, it’d have been disappointing not to see the Reds try and sign him.
Now, as a Premier League club, Forest can ill-afford any passengers and his lack of experience wouldn’t be ideal.
Longelo could come good. He’s certainly at a decent age and he’s developed at a decent academy.
At 21, the Reds would like to be signing a player with more first-team football to his name for their Premier League campaign.
Playing in Scotland should be ideal for his first foray into men’s football and he could quickly become a star in the Scottish Premiership.
Longelo isn’t the right player for Forest right now but it will be intriguing to see how he develops at his next club.
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