Nottingham Forest have been joined by Wolves and two La Liga clubs in the race to sign Abde Ezzalzouli. The player went to the World Cup with Morocco in 2022 and is currently on loan at Osasuna from Barcelona.
According to Super Deporte, the Reds now face competition for his signature from Spain. Atletico Madrid and Real Betis are now keeping the player at close quarters ahead of the summer transfer window.
The Reds have been courting Ezzalzouli since the January transfer window. It wasn’t clear at that stage whether or not Barcelona might recall him and choose to send him elsewhere.
Ezzalzouli has scored three times and registered two assists from 25 matches this season. Barcelona boss Xavi is a big fan and it’s not clear what he will do with him yet.
The talented 21-year-old has a long-term contract at the Nou Camp. As a result, it’s not completely out of the realm of reality that they choose to keep him.
Xavi called the player ‘extraordinary’ and ‘spectacular’ in 2021. He clearly rates the player quite highly and that could help the star’s case for a shot at Barcelona.
Forest joined by Wolves and two Spanish clubs in Ezzalzouli quest
This would be a good signing for Forest to make but it’s starting to look unlikely. The Reds are now being joined by teams such as Atletico who will likely be in Europe next season.
Ezzalzouli’s future is somewhat uncertain. He will hope to finish the season with a flourish with Osasuna and then he may have a clearer view of what the future holds for him.
Forest will certainly go in search of attacking players if they stay up. Ezzalzouli typically operates as a winger and taking defenders on is something that comes as second nature to him.
This deal does look as though it might be slightly out of reach for the Reds. At 21-years-old, he fits the profile of a Forest signing nicely but he might choose to join a bigger club.