Nottingham Forest rival West Ham for ‘special’ striker as Jean-Philippe Mateta alternative

Add as preferred source on Google

Nottingham Forest might be facing a losing battle to sign Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta.

Palace are close to signing Jorgen Strand Larsen from Wolves, which will free up Mateta to leave Selhurst Park before Monday’s transfer deadline.

The Frenchman is keen to leave Palace this month, with a number of clubs looking into signing him, alongside Forest, who made a play earlier this week.

Mateta has Tottenham snooping around him now and with Champions League football on offer in North London, Forest might have to establish a contingency plan.

• READ MORE: Douglas Luiz sends classy message to Forest fans after leaving

Nottingham Forest eye Jhon Duran signing

According to A Spor, Forest are one of several clubs to have asked about signing Duran during the transfer window as he prepares to leave Fenerbahce.

Right now, things are complicated by the fact that the Colombian striker doesn’t want to leave the Turkish giants, although Fenerbahce may feel differently.

Duran moved to Al-Nassr from Aston Villa for a fee of £67 million, and given that he’s only 22-years-old, that move proved a bit of a surprise.

The international star has scored five goals and assisted three more from 21 appearances this season, with Everton, Bournemouth and West Ham all showing Premier League interest as well as Forest.

Duran scored 20 goals in 78 appearances for Villa and was called ‘special’ by Gary Neville for his efforts whilst playing in the Claret and Blue.

Jhon Duran to Nottingham Forest, who says no?

Would you take the striker on Trentside?

Comment

Like or Comment

Have your say Sign-in now for free

Duran would be a class Mateta alternative

Duran knows the Premier League inside out and he’d be more of an option for the future should Forest manage to get some sort of permanent deal over the line.

Although Mateta, at 28, isn’t old, there is going to be very little resale value on the £40 million that Forest need to pay to sign him from Palace.

Nobody at the City Ground would be turning their nose up at Mateta but if he does go to Tottenham, Duran would be a sensational alternative in this window.

Given that the player doesn’t want to leave Fenerbahce, it could be a hard one to do. However, that shouldn’t stop Forest from giving it a whirl if they can’t get Mateta this month.