NafisaTransfer talk is swirling even with three matches still remaining in the season, as Nottingham Forest continue their pursuit of added quality with Champions League qualification still influencing their plans.
Forest’s hopes of securing a Champions League spot have taken a blow recently, as they’ve slipped out of the top five and into the Europa League contention zone.
Although Simon Jordan has suggested Forest may favour the Europa League, the top five spots will stay Nuno Espirito Santo’s main objective until it becomes mathematically out of reach.
Securing European football would be a milestone at any level, but it also serves as a persuasive factor in attracting summer signings—one of whom has made a revealing remark on the subject.
Yoane Wissa on his Brentford future as Nottingham Forest monitor:
Forest are still keeping tabs on Wissa after considering a move for the Congo international in January, viewing him as a player who brings both similar and complementary traits to Chris Wood.
He seems likely to be at the centre of transfer activity this summer, regardless of whether he ends up at Forest or elsewhere, but his recent remarks on the Obi One Podcast strongly indicate his future at Brentford remains unresolved.
Wissa said: “Even Brentford wants to be a European team, now they’re a Premier League team, but everyone wants to push forward. Of course, some players can and some cannot, which is fine; it’s part of the game. If you want to be the best player, you need to be at a bigger club.”
His view that a move may be necessary to achieve bigger ambitions puts Forest firmly in the frame to sign the Brentford attacker, especially with the prospect of European football on offer next season.
Forest are also keen on Bryan Mbeumo in a potential double swoop for Brentford’s attacking duo, meaning a decision must be made on who to prioritise.
Yoane Wissa should be Nottingham Forest’s primary target:
The case was made directly to the Forest boss just last week when Wissa calmly chipped Matz Sels to put Brentford two goals up at the City Ground.
Wissa has consistently demonstrated his quality at Premier League level, recording double-digit goal tallies in consecutive seasons for The Bees.
It’s not that Mbeumo wouldn’t be a valuable addition to Forest’s roster, but Wissa’s more natural ability to operate through the middle should make it clear to the Reds that he’s the ideal fit.
On top of that, Wissa was valued at £40m in January, so a similar price tag is expected this summer—still less than what Brentford would demand for Mbeumo. Interest from Arsenal in the latter will only inflate his asking price.
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