The real reason Nuno Espirito Santo wants Yoane Wissa at Nottingham Forest – it’s not just because of Taiwo Awoniyi

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Nottingham Forest’s interest in Yoane Wissa came as a surprise to many in football as Evangelos Marinakis looks to make a statement January purchase.

Forest were linked with Wissa seemingly out of the blue, with the 12-goal striker looking to be one of Marinakis’ most ambitious moves to date.

Wissa’s goalscoring pedigree would make him the ideal alternative to Chris Wood up front for Nuno Espirito Santo but Brentford don’t want to be active in January, which could make any approach made by the Forest owner a challenging one.

However, Forest’s current third-place standing in the Premier League table has the ability to turn the head of a player like Wissa, who has only experienced mid-table safety thus far with Brentford.

Many suspect that a move for someone of Wissa’s ilk would mean that Taiwo Awoniyi would be moved on from Forest. While West Ham have shown interest in Awoniyi, one report has suggested that a move for Wissa would not just be to replace the Nigerian striker.

• READ MORE: Who is Yoane Wissa? The 12-goal Brentford ace who Nottingham Forest are chasing in January

Yoane Wissa’s versatility is of interest to Nottingham Forest

A report from The Telegraph said: “Nottingham Forest will explore a move for Yoane Wissa, the Brentford forward, if Taiwo Awoniyi leaves City Ground during the January transfer window.” However, it was not the only listed reason that sparked Forest’s interest.

The report continued by adding that Arsenal are also looking at Wissa, who: “Appeals to both clubs as a forward who can play all across the front three.”

With Wood very much only a central striker, someone of Wissa’s more versatile style could truly suit the current Forest squad.

Wissa played seven times on the left wing for Brentford last season, with the numbers reaching ten in the seasons prior to when Ivan Toney was at the London club.

Versatility is a crucial attribute in modern football which will make Espirito Santo and the Forest coaching staff incredibly keen on adding Wissa to their plans.

Multiple Nottingham Forest issues could be solved by Yoane Wissa

Both Wood and Awoniyi play the physical central role excellently, but a player like Wissa could add a different aspect to the central positions whilst also covering the wide areas.

A winger has been another position that the Espirito Santo has desired in January. Forest look set to miss out on Romain Esse and Raul Moro has agreed terms with Ajax, highlighting how difficult the club have found the search for a wide player.

However, if Wissa was brought to the City Ground, he would be able to cover both wide positions as a bigger goal threat compared to Anthony Elanga and Callum Hudson-Odoi.

Scoring goals from out wide would also ease the pressure on Wood if they were to feature at the same time, meaning that Espirito Santo would have plenty of different ways to support the goals of his star striker that he doesn’t necessarily have access to currently.

The transfer won’t be an easy one for Marinakis to complete but Espirito Santo will be praying it’s possible so he can enjoy the luxury of a versatile goalscorer like Wissa.