Nottingham Forest Plotting £63m Move to Sign ‘World-Class’ Star – Report | OneFootball

Nottingham Forest Plot Ambitious Summer Moves to Establish European Elite Status

Nottingham Forest are on the cusp of something remarkable. From relegation candidates just a year ago to Champions League hopefuls this season, the transformation under head coach Nuno has been nothing short of extraordinary. Now sitting third in the Premier League table with 54 points from 29 games, they are just four points behind second-placed Arsenal and six points clear of defending champions Manchester City. The ambition from owner Evangelos Marinakis is clear: to cement Forest as one of Europe’s elite clubs.

Big Spending to Match Big Ambitions

According to TEAMtalk, Marinakis is ready to go big this summer if Forest secure Champions League qualification. After a stellar campaign, he aims to ensure the club avoids becoming a one-season wonder. Sources have revealed that Marinakis is not afraid to break the bank to bring in elite talent to strengthen the squad, particularly in the attacking department.

The club has set its sights on two high-profile strikers: Viktor Gyokeres and Victor Osimhen. Gyokeres has been on fire for Sporting CP, scoring 40 goals and registering 10 assists in just 41 matches across all competitions. Meanwhile, Osimhen, currently on loan at Galatasaray from Napoli, boasts an impressive record with 26 goals and five assists in 30 appearances this season.

Photo: IMAGO

With Chris Wood having netted 18 goals in the Premier League, Forest are keen to add another prolific striker to share the workload. Gyokeres, at 25, offers not just consistency but the kind of lethal finishing that could see him thrive in the Premier League. On the other hand, Osimhen’s reputation as a “world-class striker” – as labelled by Jose Mourinho in 2023 – has made him one of Europe’s most sought-after talents.

Can Forest Really Land Osimhen?

While Marinakis is prepared to spend big, acquiring Osimhen could prove challenging. Napoli have placed a release clause of €75 million (£63 million) on the Nigerian international, and his wage demands are likely to be substantial. Osimhen’s ambition to play for an elite European club could also be a stumbling block for Forest.

Despite these potential hurdles, TEAMtalk reports that Forest would have no issue meeting the financial demands. The real question remains whether Osimhen would see Forest as the right next step in his career. The allure of Champions League football and the chance to spearhead a project of this magnitude might just tempt him.

Photo IMAGO

Additional Targets and Reinforcement Plans

Aside from Gyokeres and Osimhen, Forest are also keeping tabs on Matheus Cunha from Wolves. The Brazilian forward has scored 13 goals and provided four assists in 24 Premier League starts this season, attracting attention from top clubs like Liverpool and Newcastle. TEAMtalk indicates that Forest have already made contact with Cunha’s representatives, signalling their intent to secure his services.

Forest are cautious about Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules, having already navigated choppy waters on that front in the past. Nevertheless, Marinakis appears prepared to push the limits once again, prioritising the establishment of Forest among the Premier League’s elite and aiming to make a mark on the European stage.

A New Era Beckons for Nottingham Forest

The surge from relegation battlers to Champions League contenders has brought a renewed sense of optimism among the Forest faithful. Marinakis’s ambition to secure top talent only serves to underline his commitment to sustained success. While the logistics of landing Osimhen remain complex, the intent signals a club unwilling to rest on its laurels.

Nuno’s side has shown they can compete at the highest level, and with the right additions, they could cement themselves as a force to be reckoned with in both domestic and European competitions. Whatever happens in the summer window, the transformation of Nottingham Forest is already one of the season’s most compelling stories.

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For Nottingham Forest fans, the thought of landing a world-class striker like Victor Osimhen is genuinely thrilling. After years of struggling to stay in the Premier League, this season’s surge into Champions League contention has been a dream come true. Seeing Forest linked with players of Osimhen’s calibre signals a new dawn for the club.

One can’t help but feel a sense of pride watching how Marinakis has transformed Forest from relegation fodder to European hopefuls. The ambition shown in pursuing players like Gyokeres and Cunha alongside Osimhen is exactly what supporters have been craving for decades.

There’s an undeniable buzz around the City Ground, with fans daring to dream that this resurgence could turn into something even more permanent. Nuno has revitalised the squad, and Marinakis appears ready to support him with the firepower needed to compete among the elite.

The idea of seeing Osimhen banging in goals in the famous Garibaldi Red shirt while Gyokeres adds to his tally is tantalising. Even if the signings don’t all materialise, the ambition alone is enough to fire up the fans and create a renewed sense of pride. Nottingham Forest are dreaming big, and rightly so.