Nottingham Forest are facing a battle to keep hold of some star players this summer.
The Reds finished seventh in the Premier League last season, and naturally, the brilliant form has led to some interest in the club’s top players.
Anthony Elanga was the subject of a Newcastle bid earlier this week, with Forest rejecting the bid out of hand.
The message from Forest was that Elanga isn’t for sale, and it will take an offer of £60 million for there to even be a discussion over a potential departure.
Last week, it was claimed that Harvey Barnes was offered to Forest, but in the grand scheme of things, there is a player who would be more appropriate for the Reds if it comes to Elanga moving to St James’ Park.
Nottingham Forest should ask for Lewis Miley instead
Forest hit the jackpot last summer when they took advantage of the PSR situation at Newcastle to land Elliot Anderson.
Now, Forest should forget about Barnes signing for the club and instead insist that any deal for Elanga this summer includes Lewis Miley coming to the City Ground.
Miley looks set to leave Newcastle this summer, and the 19-year-old looks like a very talented player who will go on and do big things in football.
The Newcastle academy graduate scored against Forest in a 4-3 win over the Reds last season, and with Danilo joining Lyon, he could be an ideal recruit.
Miley has made 46 appearances for Newcastle, but much like Anderson at St James’ Park, he’s rarely been considered a regular starter under Eddie Howe.
Barnes is 27 now, and although he’s proven in the Premier League, he’s a completely different forward to Elanga and landing him right now makes little sense.
In 2023, Bruno Guimaraes called Miley ‘unbelievable’ and there is little doubt that the player is going to make huge strides in the next few years.
Forest will fight for Elanga
Unless the player’s head is seriously turned, Forest will surely keep hold of Elanga this summer, with several clubs seemingly baulking at the £60 million valuation.
Elanga scored six goals and claimed 12 assists in the Premier League last season, with only Newcastle player Jacob Murphy and Mohamed Salah getting more assists.
A rapid burst of pace is what makes Elanga so important, and with Forest loving to play on the counter, losing a player tailor-made for that system would be disastrous.
Forest will want £60 million before any players can be discussed as part of the deal but if push comes to shove, Miley would be a better option than Barnes.
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