Nottingham Forest scouted Strasbourg’s £18m-rated striker Ludovic Ajorque during a 3-0 win over Liverpool at Anfield over the weekend. According to Sky Sports, Wolves, Everton, Leicester, West Ham, Fulham, Newcastle and Bournemouth also had representatives at the game.
The Ligue 1 outfit won the game against the odds. Boss Jurgen Klopp did make the decision to play a young squad after he oversaw a 3-1 win over Manchester City in the Community Shield just 24 hours before.
Ajorque didn’t score during the contest. He did start the game as one of two strikers, with partner Habib Diallo scoring against the Premier League runners-up. Adrien Thomasson scored a brace during the Anfield rout.
The striker has been with Strasbourg since 2018 when he signed from Clermont Foot. He’s well travelled in France and standing at 6ft 6in, it’s clear where his strengths lie.
Now, the French top-tier outfit face losing their striker. It’s likely that his form last season has alerted several Premier League clubs towards his availability. Ajorque fired 12 goals and claimed eight assists as Strasbourg achieved a respectable sixth-place finish in Ligue 1.
Forest aren’t likely to be leading the chase, although it’s clear they need a striker. Taiwo Awoniyi has checked in, with Sam Surridge likely to be utilised as an option from the bench during the 2022/23 campaign.
Ajorque would provide a useful option. His aerial advantage and brute strength likely make him an alternative target, if the Reds are unable to secure a permanent deal for Keinan Davis to return to the City Ground this summer.
Ajorque scouted by Forest but he’d be a risk
The striker did register an assist during Sunday’s comprehensive win over Liverpool. He teed up Diallo to make it 2-0 to Strasbourg and he was largely impressive during his time on the pitch.
It’s fair to say that Forest perhaps need a tall striker added to the ranks. Awoniyi and Surridge will perhaps provide different options and a target man would compliment them nicely.
Ajorque bring others into play. He’s also capable of scoring goals himself but having spent his career playing in France, this might represent a risk.
Rumour rating: 5/10 – We’re a bit unsure on this one. On one hand, Ajorque provides similar qualities to Davis but on the other, is it just too much to ask?
At 28 Ajorque should be in his prime but the sell-on value will dwindle if he were to sign a three-year deal at Forest.
Still, if he does sign, it will give Forest some more options at the top end of the pitch and that certainly wouldn’t be a bad thing.