Nottingham Forest eye £35m Premier League star in controversial swoop, bid expected

Add as preferred source on Google

Nottingham Forest could be about to attempt to complete a transfer that would be extremely controversial for a number of reasons.

Forest are in search of new attacking players before the window ends, with Chris Wood looking unlikely to play again this season, having been injured since October.

Igor Jesus scored his second Premier League goal against Brentford on Sunday but he was signed to act as a backup and it’s unfair how much football he’s been asked to play this season.

Taiwo Awoniyi was praised by Jamie Carragher after his goal against Brentford, whilst Lorenzo Lucca has been added on loan from Napoli.

Now, Forest have earmarked another striker from a Premier League club, and any deal would likely be viewed as being highly controversial.

• READ MORE: Nottingham Forest player ratings vs Brentford

Nottingham Forest to make Jean-Philippe Mateta bid

According to The Telegraph, Forest have been alerted to the availability of Mateta, with the French striker keen to leave Crystal Palace this month.

Mateta is the latest player who has expressed a desire to leave Palace, with Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi both departing in the last two transfer windows.

Complete this sentence: Jean-Philippe Mateta would be our best signing since ___________

Comment

Like or Comment

Have your say Sign-in now for free

The talisman has bagged eight Premier League goals this season and is renowned as one of the best physical presence strikers in the top-flight.

Now, Forest are preparing to make a bid of £35 million for the striker before next week’s transfer deadline, with Sean Dyche very keen to continue strengthening his squad.

Mateta would be amazing signing

Given that Steve Parish pretty much blamed Forest for Palace getting kicked out of the Europa League, it does feel unlikely that he would sanction Mateta joining Forest.

However, it doesn’t appear to be stopping Evangelos Marinakis from giving it a go and with Mateta wanting to leave, Palace might have a big decision to make.

The 28-year-old is in the form of his life over the last 12 months and his form was instrumental last season in helping the Eagles win the FA Cup.

Now, it would appear as though he’s keen on a Selhurst Park exit and if Mateta pushes for a move to Forest, Parish’s position as the Palace chairman could become untenable in the eyes of supporters.