Nottingham Forest are back in the mix to sign West Ham youngster Emmanuel Longelo, according to West Ham Zone. The Reds will rival Rangers and Bournemouth for the player’s signature during the summer transfer window.
Forest were in the race to sign him during January. In fact, the Reds saw a bid rejected for the left-sided wing-back and it was uncertain whether or not Forest would return for him.
Longelo made his West Ham debut during 2021/22. He played the full 90 minutes as the Hammers lost 1-0 to Dinamo Zagreb drug a pretty meaningless Europa League game.
Aside from that run-out, his game time has been restricted. He’s way down the pecking order under David Moyes and he will try and move him on during the summer months.
Last week, it was claimed that Rangers and Bournemouth were in the mix to sign him. Forest’s interest from January was mentioned, although it wasn’t certain whether or not the Reds were still keen.
Longelo has a wand of a left foot. Not only that but he boasts the required energy levels to get up and down the pitch, with that being a mandatory requirement to play left wing-back in Steve Cooper’s team.
Forest will definitely be in the market for a left-back this summer. Max Lowe has returned to Sheffield United and Jack Colback was forced to play there during 2021/22.
Cooper will want a natural option to step into that position. Longelo is naturally left-sided and that could make him a useful addition to the Forest ranks.
Forest want Longelo but another left-back should be targeted
This wouldn’t be a bad addition. At 21 he has bags of time to continue improving and he fits the ethos of a Reds signing down the ground.
Still, Forest would welcome another wing-back. Longelo doesn’t have a deal of experience and it would be a risk to demand him to play 38 Premier League fixtures next season.
Lowe coming back isn’t out of the equation. The youngster is likely to be down the pecking order at Bramall Lane and for that right price, they would sell.
Forest must make sure they’re well-stocked but Longelo would still be a useful signing for the Reds ahead of Rangers and Bournemouth.
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