Nottingham Forest are going in search of a defensive recruit during the summer window.
The Reds will have money to spend this year on the back of a run to the Europa League semi-final and remaining in the Premier League once again.
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In 2024/25, the partnership of Murillo and Nikola Milenkovic was among the best in the Premier League, but it’s fair to say both players tailed off a little bit last season.
Now, Lina Souloukou is dipping into her contacts to try and bring a highly-rated defender to the City Ground this summer.
Nottingham Forest want Jan Ziolkowski
According to Football Italia, Forest are going to make an assault on Roma to sign the young Polish defender this summer.
The asking price stands at £17 million, with Forest seeing a first bid of £13 million rejected by the Serie A outfit.
Ziolkowski has played three games for his country and is considered one of the top talents in Poland.
Roma only parted with £4.6 million to bring Ziolkowski from Legia Warsaw last summer, and in his maiden season with Roma, he’s made 23 appearances in all competitions.
It has taken the 20-year-old some time to get up to scratch and gain confidence, with the player famously hooked after just half an hour of his first Europa League start against Viktoria Plzen.
Forest won’t be alone in the race to sign Ziolkowski, with West Ham and Newcastle also showing interest in the central defender.
Ziolkowski outperforms Milenkovic in one area
Clearly, the Polish defender has some work to do in order to be at Milenkovic’s level, but last season, he outperformed him in terms of ground duels won.
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Ziolkowski won around 1.4 every game, according to Sofa Score, with Milenkovic further behind on 1.2.
It wasn’t the best season in the world for Milenkovic during 2025/26, and perhaps some more competition for his place won’t go amiss next season.
Ziolkowski would be a project player in the short term, but it’s fair to say that the club are right not to neglect the future when it comes to new signings.
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