Nottingham Forest could finally get their hands on Che Adams this summer, almost 10 years after Fawaz Al Hasawi snubbed him. Following relegation, Southampton are now preparing to accept offers for their versatile forward, with the Reds keen.
The Athletic claims that it could take between £6 million and £8 million to sign Adams. If Forest do get their man during the summer transfer window, the deal will be one that has been in the making for nine years!
Back in 2014, Stuart Pearce recommended Adams to Al Hasawi who was owning the club at the time. Much to the manager’s dismay, he wouldn’t sanction a deal for the player who was with non-league outfit Ilkeston Town at the time.
Forest’s loss was Sheffield United’s gain. They picked up the player for a very small fee and he soon started to perform on the professional stage. He also turned out for Birmingham before signing for Southampton.
Despite a drab season for the Saints, Adams wasn’t in bad form. He scored 10 goals during 2022/23 but three of those did come in the Carabao Cup against far weaker opposition.
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Still, Forest will be in the market for some more firepower this summer. Taiwo Awoniyi top scored last season with 11 goals in all competitions but in terms of strikers, there isn’t much else.
Forest could finally sign Adams
To spend the money being quoted on a backup striker wouldn’t be too bad. Adams has just a year to run on his contract and they’re under pressure to sell him this summer.
Adams would likely welcome a return to the East Midlands. The Leicester-born player would surely jump at the chance to stay in the Premier League and he could be useful for Forest.
The 26-year-old is at a decent age and he’s relatively versatile too. He spent the majority of last season playing as a centre-forward but he’s not averse to playing out wide too.
Adams might have welcomed a move to Forest back in 2014. If he signs for the club this summer, he could really make a mockery of Al Hasawi’s decision not to sign him back then.