Nottingham Forest and Brighton are chasing the signing of Atletico Madrid’s young talent Manu Sanchez, according to Spanish journalist Sergio Santos.
The left-back spent last season on loan at Osasuna. He made 24 appearances for the La Liga outfit, scoring once and claiming three assists.
Sachez is expected to be handed a new contract by Diego Simeone. He’s a highly-rated member of the academy at the Wanda Metropolitana but reports claim he could leave.
The initial plan, it’s claimed, was to loan the player out again. Sanchez holds a desire to spend another season with Osasuna but other clubs could make bids to sign him.
Two of those clubs are Brighton and Forest. The Seagulls have a brilliant track record since they became a Premier League club when it comes to plucking gems from across Europe.
If anything, the Sussex-based club can act as a guide for Forest this summer. They rarely get the recruitment side of things wrong and the Reds would perhaps be wise to shop for some bargains.
Forest have already added Taiwo Awoniyi to their ranks this summer. He checked in from Union Berlin for a club-record £17 million transfer fee.
Defenders will also be targeted. Wing-back is looking like an area of concern just now and up to three new players for the wide positions could be targeted.
Sanchez did operate as part of a back four last season at Osasuna. His skillset does make him ideal for a wing-back role though, with the Spaniard simply loving to maraude forward.
Forest chasing Manu Sanchez and he’d be an exciting signing
This looks as though it has some legs in it. The Reds are desperately looking to add to their squad and some supporters are growing increasingly frustrated.
Forest need a left-back. Jack Colback filled in for Max Lowe when he was injured last season but he can’t be called upon to play there for the Reds in the Premier League.
There will be a set recruitment strategy this summer. It’s likely that it will be focused on signing young talent with an abundance of energy and Sanchez certainly fits that billing.
Rumour rating: 7/10 – We think there is a lot to like about this deal. He’s got experience of playing in a tough league and as a result, he’s unlikely to be fazed by the Premier League.
If Brighton are keen, it’s clear he can play. The recruitment boffins down there are right on the money with unearthed foreign talent and Forest are right to be rivalling them for Sanchez.
He is an unknown quantity but there is a lot to like about this signing. If Forest can get something sorted for Sanchez then it’d certainly represent a step in the right direction.
Receive a digest of our best Nottingham Forest content each week direct to your mailbox
