Nottingham Forest are in the mix to sign Atalanta midfielder Remo Freuler, Fabrizio Romano has confirmed. He has suggested that talks are ongoing, although nothing has been agreed upon at this stage.
Freuler has been an essential cog in Atalanta’s brilliance over the past couple of seasons. He’s been a destructive force in Gian Piero Gasperini’s team, making 259 appearances for the club.
Landing the player is unlikely to come easy – or cheap. Not only is he a respected team member, but he only signed a new contract with Atalanta last season.
Freuler, 30, was trusted to captain the side last season. He took the armband in Champions League outings against Manchester United and 18 times in Serie A.
Forest have been on the lookout for a destructive force to add to their midfield ranks. So far, Lewis O’Brien and Orel Mangala have been added to the ranks this summer, with Jack Colback and Ryan Yates providing other options.
Freuler was the subject of an extensive article from Forza Italian Football in 2020. They called the player ‘tireless’, ‘inexhaustible’ and a ‘complete midfielder’.
Romano claims that nothing is particularly close at this stage. He does say that the Atalanta player is simply one of many names on Forest’s long list of targets.
Forest in the mix to sign Remo Freuler
This is the sort of signing that should excite supporters. The player has bags of experience but signing him might not come easily to Forest.
Atalanta will likely ruffle some feathers once again during 2022/23. Under Gasperini, they’re one of the best football teams to watch in Europe.
His all-out attack style has caught the eye, although they did miss out on European football last season and that could see some players reshuffled.
At 30, perhaps Freuler will be one of the current crop that they are willing to sacrifice this season and Forest are monitoring things carefully.
Rumour rating: 7/10 – There is something to like about this deal. Freuler is vastly experienced and that could help a young squad at Forest.
He’s got a wealth of experience playing in a top European league and furthermore, he’s played in the Champions League and the Europa League.
It has to be said that this deal seems like a long shot but Forest at least look to be finishing the transfer window with a flourish.